LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - The Rider University volleyball team closed out the regular season with a victory Saturday afternoon, defeating Marist, 25-19, 25-17, 25-17. The Broncs improve to 14-15 overall and 12-6 in MAAC play. The Red Foxes drop to 10-20 overall and 8-10 in league matches.
 
Tied 3-3 in set one, Rider scored four-straight points, including a pair of kills from Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)). Marist would come back to tie the set 15-15, before a 5-1 run from the Broncs, led by three Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) kills gave Rider the lead. Up 20-18, the Broncs closed out the opening set on a 5-1 run, capped by a combo block from Anji Vishwanathan (Wilmington, DE/The Charter School of Wilmington[New Mexico St.]) and Santiago.
 
It was all Rider early in the second set, as the Broncs jumped out to a 7-0 lead, powered by three blocks and two kills by Santiago. Rider would extend the lead to as large as 11-1 before Marist started to chip away at the lead, getting to within four at 18-14, but the Broncs countered with a 4-0 run, including an ace from Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) to pull away and the Broncs secured the set to go up 2-0.
 
After a 4-0 Marist run gave the Red Foxes a 5-4 lead in set three, Rider countered with an immediate 5-0 run to go ahead 9-5. Up 17-14, Santiago had two kills and an ace in a 4-0 run as the Broncs pulled away and never looked back, securing the sweep.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"Really good weekend. We wanted to bounce back and put ourselves in a position to be the three seed, so we're really happy about that outcome. We have a short turnaround, Tuesday night match, so we need to recharge the batteries and get ready for whoever our next opponent is."
 
"This day is always difficult as a coach when it's the last regular season game. There's some emotional tugs that take place as a coach, but I'm just really happy to see them go out and get and see their teammates fight for them throughout the match." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
"Having my teammates support behind me, and working hard throughout the entire season, I just knew were we confident in this team. We have great pins, they posted really well, reading, talking, and showing all the hard work we put in." – Senior Outside Hitter Brynn Johnson
 
- Rider completes the season sweep and trims Marist's lead in the all-time series to 34-26.
- Prior to the match, the Broncs honored its outgoing senior class of Vishwanathan, O'Connor, Santiago, and Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls).
- With the win, the Broncs clinch the third seed in the MAAC Tournament and will host Siena in an opening round match.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had 27 assists for her 27^th match this season and 73^rd match in her career with double digits.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .235 in the match, while the Red Foxes hit just .000 as a team.
- Rider had 34 kills to 28 for Marist. Santiago and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) both had nine kills to lead the Broncs.
- The Broncs had 25 digs to 26 for the Red Foxes. O'Connor had nine digs to lead Rider.
- Rider held advantages of 11-4 in blocks and 7-3 in aces. Santiago had seven blocks and Vishwanathan had a career-high six blocks.

UP NEXT
The Broncs host the opening round of the MAAC Tournament against Siena, Tuesday at 6 p.m.