FAIRFIELD, CT - The Rider University volleyball team earned a victory in the MAAC Semifinals Saturday afternoon, topping Quinnipiac, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-16. The Broncs improve to 16-15 overall, while the Bobcats drop to 19-12 overall.
 
Tied 2-2 in the opening set, the Bobcats went on a 5-0 run. The Broncs got back to within two at 16-14, but with Quinnipiac holding a 20-17 lead, the Bobcats closed out the set with a 5-0 run.
 
Tied 3-3 in set two, the Broncs scored three-straight, including kills from Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) and Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West). With Rider leading 8-6, the Bobcats went on a 5-1 run to take the lead, But Rider immediately responded with a 6-1 run, led by a pair of blocks by Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls). Tied 21-21, the Broncs scored four of the final six points in the set, led by three Santiago kills to even the match at one set each.
 
Already leading 5-4 in set three, the Broncs appeared to take control with a 7-0 run, capped by a Tyler Adams (Wilmington, DE/Ursuline Academy) ace. Quinnipiac would respond immediately with a 7-1 run, then later go on a 3-0 run to take a 23-22 lead in the set. After the Rider side out, Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) served an ace, then Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) made a diving dig to keep set point alive before a Quinnipiac error gave Rider the set victory.
 
With Rider holding a 6-3 lead in set four, Quinnipiac took the lead with a 4-0 run. Rider immediately fired back with a 6-1 run, led by three blocks from Mason. Then up 13-10, the Broncs began to pull away with another 3-0 run, capped by back-to-back blocks from Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville). The Broncs were perfect on side out opportunities for the remainder of the match, securing the set and match victory.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"Really proud of this team's grit today. Quinnipiac beat us last year in the semifinals and twice this year in three sets. They took the first set and this team responded perfectly. Aggression, conviction, and no quit. Every player was contributing, and the bench was incredible with energy. Kianny was amazing and helped fuel the aggression, and I couldn't be prouder of her effort today. Rylah, Rohde, Keegan, Simone, Brynn, Ty, Carly, Kenna, Carley – to a person were so good today. Happy for these seniors that they'll get to play in the finals tomorrow, and the staff was incredible too, making great adjustments and pushing the right buttons."– Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- After dropping both regular-season meetings to the Bobcats, the Broncs win trims the deficit in the all-time series to 18-15.
- The Broncs advance to the MAAC Finals for the first time since the 2021 season. Rider is looking to claim the MAAC Championship for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
- Santiago finished with a match-high 20 kills on .514 hitting, reaching double figures for the 20^th time this season and 53^rd time in her career.
- Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) added 11 kills, securing double digits for the ninth time this season and 20^th time in her career.
- McAleavey had 10 kills to finish in double figures for the ninth time this season and 18^th time in her career
- Mason had 43 assists for her 29^th match this season and 75^th match in her career with double digits. She added 10 digs for her 14^th career double-double.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) finished with 13 digs, securing double figures for the 26^th time this season and 76^th time in her career.
 

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .302 in the match, while the Bobcats hit just .169 as a team.
- Rider had 54 kills to 51 for Quinnipiac.
- The Bobcats had 50 digs to 47 for the Broncs.
- Quinnipiac had an edge of 8-3 in aces.
- Rider held a 15-6 edge in blocks led by a career-high seven from Mason.

UP NEXT
The Broncs advance to the MAAC Finals where the top-seeded Stags of Fairfield await. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.