WEST POINT, NY – The Rider University volleyball team was defeated in straight sets Friday in its first action at the Black Knight Invitational. The Broncs fell to Binghamton 25-23, 25-16, 25-17. Rider falls to 1-2 on the season, while the Bearcats improve to 1-4.
 
Trailing 13-10 in the opening set, Kiannisha Santiago (San Juan, PR/Hudson Catholic (NJ)) had back-to-back kills followed by a kill from Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson) to even the set. The Bearcats would go back in front 18-14 before a 5-1 run from the Broncs, including three kills by Carley McAleavey (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West), would even the set again at 19. Binghamton countered with three-straight points and held on to win the opening set 25-23.
 
Tied 12-12 in the second, the Bearcats pulled away with a 7-1 run, going on to take the set 25-16.
 
Rider responded out of the break, getting a 4-0 run, capped by an ace from Erynn Gotsch (DeLand, FL/DeLand) to go ahead 4-1. Binghamton immediately responded with a 5-0 run taking back the lead in the set. Trailing 9-6, Cecilia DeCaro (Wilmington, DE/Ursuline Academy) had three kills during a 6-1 run to go ahead 12-10. The set remained tight until holding a 17-16 lead, Binghamton scored six-straight points and went on to secure the straight-set win.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
"Not a great day in a lot phases. We just got frustrated at Binghamton's efficiency quickly. Our frustration led to them being clean and consistent. We have to be better with our energy when we give up a run of points. A few players went in and performed well. Tyler Adams stepped up, and Erynn and CC competed well in the third set. We have to be goldfish now, and get ready for an aggressive Hofstra and Army tomorrow." – Head Coach Jeff Rotondo
 
- Binghamton extends its lead in the all-time series to 4-1.
- DeCaro made her collegiate debut in the match.
- Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head) had 19 assists for her third match this season and 49^th match in her career with double digits.
- Santiago led the Broncs with 12 kills for her 36^th career match with double figures in kills, reaching the mark for the third-straight match.
- Keegan O'Connor (Weatherford, TX/Weatherford) had a match-high 14 digs, reaching double figures for the 53^rd time in her career and third-straight match to start the season.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .104 in the match, while the Bearcats hit .298.
- Rider had 36 kills in the match to 41 for Binghamton.
- The Bearcats held a 48-38 edge in digs.
- Binghamton held a 5-4 edge in blocks, while Rider held a 3-2 advantage in aces.

UP NEXT
The Broncs are back in action Saturday at the Black Knight Invitational, taking on Hofstra at 10 am before playing host Army at 3 p.m.