Rider University Athletics

NORTH ANDOVER, MA - The Rider University volleyball team bounced back Saturday afternoon, rebounding to top Merrimack, 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, 25-17. The Broncs improve to 6-14 on the season, and 5-6 in Metro play, while the Warriors fall to 3-21 overall, and 3-8 in conference play.
 
After falling behind 4-1 in the opening set, Rider scored four-straight, including an ace from Katie Cook (Stanley, NC/East Lincoln[Robert Morris]) and two kills from Aubrey Baker (Vestal, NY/Vestal[Merrimack]) to take its first lead of the set. With the Warriors holding a 9-8 lead, Merrimack extended the lead with a 4-0 run. Trailing 23-19, Rider scored three-straight with Baker getting a pair of kills to pull within one at 23-22, but the Broncs would be unable to keep the Warriors from securing the set.
 
Rider responded early in set two, with Tori Bonacci (Downingtown, PA/Bishop Shanahan) getting a pair of kills to help Rider take an early 4-1 lead. Leading 6-3, Rider extended the lead with a 4-0 run, led by an ace from Bonacci and a pair of kills by Rylah Robinson (Fairfax, VA/Robinson). Merrimack immediately countered with a 6-1 run to trim the Rider lead to 11-9. Up 17-13, the Broncs pulled away with a 5-1 run, including an ace and a kill from Bonacci and cruised to the second set win.
 
The third set was close early, but down 7-6 Rider went on a 6-0 run, led by three kills and a block from Robinson. With the Broncs leading 19-12, Merrimack trimmed the deficit with a 4-0 run, but up 20-17, Rider closed out the set with a 5-1 run, led by two kills and a block from Molly Rohde (Hortonville, WI/Hortonville).
 
Tied 6-6 in the fourth, the teams traded 3-0 runs to tie the set again 9-9. Tied for the 10^th time in the set at 16-16, Rider went on a 5-0 run on the serve of Makenna Mason (Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head). Then after a Merrimack point, the Broncs closed out the match with a 4-0 run, capped by back-to-back kills from Baker.
 
QUOTES & NOTES
- Rider extends its lead in the all-time series to 5-1.
- Mason had 47 assists, giving her 20 matches this season and 97 matches in her career with double digits. She added 10 digs for her seventh double-double of the season and 21^st of her career.
- Simone Langford (Hollywood, FL/Flanagan) finished with a team-high 18 digs, reaching double figures for the 15^th time this season and 27^th time in her career.
- Olivia DeSaro (Holland, PA/Council Rock South) had a career-high 11 digs to reach double figures for the second time in her freshman season.
- Carly Allen (Buffalo, NY/Sacred Heart Academy) added 10 digs to reach double figures for the second time this season and third time in her career.
- Robinson had a match-high 17 kills, reaching double figures for the eighth time this season and 28^th time in her career.
- Kelly added 15 kills to finish with double digits for the seventh time this season and 10^th time in her career.
- Baker recorded a season-high 12 kills against her former team, reaching double figures for the first time as a Bronc.

BRONCS BY THE NUMBERS
- The Broncs hit .258 in the match, while the Warriors hit .154 as a team.
- Rider had 59 kills to 43 for Merrimack.
- The Broncs had 78 digs to 65 for the Warriors.
- Rider finished with a 7-6 advantage in blocks and a 9-3 edge in aces.
 
UP NEXT
- The Broncs are back in action Tuesday, hosting Saint Peter's for a 6 p.m. match.