KNOXVILLE, TN – Anja Kelly had a team-high 12 kills, but the Rider University volleyball team fell to Alabama A&M in five sets, 3-2, Friday afternoon at the University of Tennessee. With the loss, the Broncs fall to 2-8, while the Bulldogs improve to 9-3.

After the Bulldogs took the first set, 25-18, the Broncs bounced back and took the next two sets, 25-20 and 25-17. The Broncs scored eight-straight points in the second, seven on Carley McAleavey's serve, to create separation. Rider again surged ahead early in the third, with four-straight points on Keegan O'Connor's serve to take a 7-3 advantage. The Bulldogs whittled the lead to one on four occasions, but the Broncs maintained the lead and closed the set on a 7-0 run on Rylah Robinson's serve.

The Bulldogs scored eight of the first 10 points in the fourth set and forced a fifth with a 25-16 win. Alabama A&M then scored five of the first six points and never trailed in winning the decisive set, 15-8.

Notes
- Alabama A&M is now 2-0 against the Broncs. The other meeting came in 2009 at the Great 8 Volleyball Challenge, hosted by Kennesaw State.
- With 23 assists, Makenna Mason had double-digit assists for the ninth time in 10 matches this season and the 55^th match in her collegiate career. 

Broncs By The Numbers
- Alabama A&M outhit Rider .296 to .161.
- The Broncs had 51 kills to the Bulldogs' 49.
- Rider finished with 11 blocks to Alabama A&M's 10.
- The Bulldogs had 11 service aces to the Broncs' six.
- Kelly's 12 kills are a new career high, eclipsing her 11 kills last Oct. 6 vs. Niagara.
- In addition to Mason's 23 assists, Grace Borys had 15 assists.
- Kelly and Molly Rohde had four blocks apiece.
- Keegan O'Connor led the Broncs with 16 digs.

Up Next
The Broncs return to action Friday, Sept. 26, when they open MAAC play at Marist. First serve from Poughkeepsie is scheduled for 7 p.m.