LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University volleyball team split a pair of matches Saturday, defeating the University of New Hampshire, 3-2, in the afternoon before falling in the nightcap to Saint Francis, 3-0, at Alumni Gym. With the split, the Broncs move to 2-6.  

Against New Hampshire, the Broncs came out red hot in the first set, taking it, 25-12 on the strength of four kills from Rylah Robinson. The Wildcats would fight back to win the second set, 27-25, and move to a 2-1 advantage in the match with a 25-20 victory in the third.

The Broncs evened the match in the fourth, with Robinson and Kiannisha Santiago each contributing four kills and Mason distributing 13 of her match-high 52 assists in the set.

In the decisive fifth set, the Broncs surged ahead, 8-6, before the Wildcats took the next four points after switching sides to go on top, 10-8. Still trailing by two, 12-10, the Broncs responded with the next two points and five of the next six to take the set and the match. A pair of Santiago kills closed out the match, including one to close out a marathon rally on match point.

Saint Francis took the second match of the day, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21.

Quotes & Notes
"We lost some of our edge coming out of that first match. We got a little too happy with that win. It's a quick turnaround. Last week, we had a couple of hours. Today, we had an hour turnaround. But we have to be better – from me, to the game plan to (the team) and their energy. We just have to find a way to amp it up there for the second match for sure." – Rider Head Coach Jeff Rotondo

- A match after collecting her 1,000^th career assist, Mason posted a career-high 52 assists vs. New Hampshire, easily eclipsing her previous season and career high of 40 in the season opener vs. Le Moyne.
- The Broncs faced former Rider Head Coach Chris Feliciano in the New Hampshire match. Feliciano was at Rider for eight seasons from 2011-18.
- Rider and New Hampshire met for the first time in volleyball.
- Saint Francis closed the Broncs' lead in the all-time series to 13-8.  

Broncs By The Numbers
- Rider outhit UNH, .290 to .188, while Saint Francis took a .319 to .169 advantage.
- Rider had 71 kills to New Hampshire's 47, while Saint Francis took a 41-26 edge.
- Both teams had nine blocks in the New Hampshire match, while Saint Francis had seven blocks to the Broncs' six.
- Santiago led the Broncs with 25 kills on the day, including 18 in the first match of the day vs. New Hampshire. Carley McAleavey (16), Rylah Robinson (14) and Brynn Johnson (12) also produced double-digit kills in the opener.
- Mason finished with 65 assists on the day, adding 13 vs. Saint Francis.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Thursday, when they begin play at the University of Tennessee Tournament vs. the host Lady Volunteers. First serve is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.