SYRACUSE, NY – The Rider University volleyball team took a set from Syracuse Saturday evening, but ultimately fell 25-22, 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, to close out competition at the Salt City Classic. The Broncs even their record at 1-1 on the year, while the Orange remain undefeated at 2-0 on the season.
 
In the first, neither side could gain traction with the set tying eight times early. Tied at 11, the Orange would take a lead that it would not lose. The Broncs remained in the set, but leading 18-17, Syracuse would score four-straight points. Rider countered with a 3-0 run, including a kill and a block by Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West), but the Orange recovered to close out the set.
 
The second set was close again. With Rider up 5-4, Syracuse scored four-straight points, but the Broncs got a kill and a block from Brynn Johnson (River Falls, WI/River Falls) during a 3-0 run that tied the set. Trailing 10-8, Rider went on a 5-1 run including two blocks and a kill by Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville) giving the Broncs a 13-11 edge. The Orange would immediately respond with a 4-0 run to reclaim the lead, but down 18-17, the Broncs would take the lead back with four-straight points, including an ace from Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan). Trailing 23-21, the Orange would make the set's decisive run, scoring four-straight points to take a two-set lead.
 
Rider would come out of the break strong building a 7-3 lead, capped by a strong service run and ace by Langford. The Orange would respond, tying the set at 9-9. Trailing 15-14, McAleavey had a kill and a block to start a 4-0 run. The Orange would come back to tie the set once again at 21-21. Rider would respond with three-straight points, and hang on for the win, forcing a fourth set.
 
Close early in the fourth, Rider led 13-12 when the Orange went on a 5-0 run. Rider had an immediate answer, scoring four-straight including another ace by Langford to even the set. With Rider leading 19-18, the Orange made the match's final run, scoring six-straight points and going on to secure the victory.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"Thought our energy was really good for 98% of the match. Little dip in set three and the end of set four. Overall we played very well. Our defensive players really stepped up with Keegan, Simone, and Carly pulling a heavy workload tonight. The middles were solid again, we just have to convert a few more swings on the left side and may find ourselves up 2-1 or in a fifth set. We'll learn from it and find some more aggression to close sets. In closing, I really though Makenna had an amazing weekend and Katie stepped in and played well today too." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Syracuse extends its lead in the all-time series to 3-1.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had 27 assists for her second match this season and 48^th match in her career with double digits. She added 14 digs for her second-straight and second career double-double.
- Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) had 11 kills and 14 digs for her 35^th career match with double figures in kills, reaching the mark for the second-straight match. The match was her first time this season with double-digit digs, giving her nine for her career. The double-double is her first of the season and seventh of her career.
- Johnson reached double-digit kills for the sixth time in her career and second time this season, finishing with a team-high 14.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) had a match-high 17 digs, reaching double figures for the 52^nd time in her career and second this season. Katie Cook (Stanley, NC/East Lincoln[Robert Morris]) added 11 digs for her first match as a Bronc in double figures.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .152 in the match, while the Orange hit .217.
- Rider had 53 kills in the match to 52 for Syracuse.
- The Broncs held a 74-69 edge in digs.
- Both teams finished with nine blocks and the Orange held a 10-5 advantage in aces.

UP NEXT
The Broncs are back in action Friday at the Black Knight Invitational, taking on Binghamton Friday at 3 p.m. before playing Hofstra and the host Army on Saturday.