Unstoppable: Rider rallies for 7th straight win

By Lindsay Scarola

Back in New York for the weekend, Rider volleyball played its last two road games of the regular season, conquering the Manhattan Jaspers, 3-0 on Nov. 9 and the Iona Gaels 3-2 on Nov. 10.

With a seven-game win streak, the Broncs sit at 13-3 in conference play, placing them at third in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Domination against Manhattan  

To start its weekend, Rider returned to New York to sweep the Jaspers for the second time this season, gaining a sixth straight win. 

The Broncs jumped out with an early lead in the first set, 12-6, but Manhattan then went on a 10-2 run to catch up and surpass Rider. 

Tied 19-19, senior setter Ryley Frye served three straight points with an ace, setting the pace for the Broncs. They took the opening set 25-21.

Rider maintained its momentum into the second set, where it quickly built a 7-3 lead. The Broncs proceeded to extend their lead with a 5-0 run, with two kills and a block by sophomore opposite Anja Kelly. 

Sophomore middle hitter Molly Rohde succeeded in three more blocks as the Broncs went on another 5-0 run. Rohde served the match point the way any volleyball player wishes, with an ace. The Jaspers fell to the Broncs 25-12. 

The start of the third set mirrored the second, as Rider took control with a 4-3 lead. Sophomore outside hitter Paige Giehtbrock had three kills during the Broncs’ 9-0 run. The Broncs beat the Jaspers 25-12 to sweep Manhattan 3-0.

“The team has done a great job at learning how to win and close matches. Earlier in the year, we were not doing that, and they even recognized that in our post-game recap,” said Head Coach Jeff Rotondo. 

Five-set showdown

Looking to keep their winning streak alive, Rider found itself in a five-set battle with Iona.

Rider was leading by one during the opening set, yet Iona jumped ahead with a 7-0 run. The Broncs crawled their way back from a 21-13 deficit on a 10-3 run, but the Gaels closed out the set, 25-23. 

Rider trailed in the second set before scoring four straight points, including an ace by senior setter Frye, leading to a score of 21-18. At match point, Iona evened the score to 24 a piece. 

However, junior middle hitter Carley McAleavey and sophomore outside hitter Rylan Robinson had a combo block to reclaim Rider’s serve. Junior outside hitter Kiannisha Santiago completed an ace to end it all. The Broncs won 26-24 to even the sets 1-1. 

The energy carried into the third set, where Santiago had two kills and a block for a jump-start on Rider’s six point lead. The momentum never died, and the Broncs won the set, 25-16. 

Iona was down 2-1 in sets, so they went for a 5-0 run in the fourth, extending their lead to 18-11.

Rider outscored Iona, 13-5, bringing a 24-23 score to the Broncs’ match point. The Gaels never gave up, tying the score 24-24, and then 25-25, ultimately forcing a fifth set with a 27-25 victory. 

In set five, played only to 15 points rather than the usual 25, both teams fought quicker to come out on top. Iona started strong, building a 7-1 lead over Rider that eventually expanded to 11-7. 

Iona was four points away from winning, which meant Rider was on the hunt. Rider scored eight straight points, including aces from junior libero Keegan O’Connor, for the 15-11 comeback win.

“Iona was definitely not our best game, but I do think we fought hard. There were not that many things clicking within the game on the court, but I think just our grit and willingness to never give up that helped us win,” said Rohde. 

The Broncs conquered the court with a 3-2 victory against Iona, gaining their seventh straight win and Frye hit 1,000 career assists. 

Rider has its last two games of the regular season at home in the Alumni Gym on Nov. 16 against Fairfield at 1 p.m. and Nov. 17 against Sacred Heart for Senior Day at 1 p.m.