JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Saint Peter's women's volleyball team fell to in-state rival Rider University on Saturday afternoon in their conference match.
Senior Laura Reinhart (Belvidere, N.J./Newton) and Stephanie Mills (Albuquerque, N.M./Del Norte) finished with a team-high 10 kills. Junior Dayana Arrufat-Rondon (Truyillo, Puerto Rico/Carvin School) registered six kills in the loss.
In the first set, both teams traded points to tie the set at 7. With the set tied, the Peacocks went on a 7-2 run behind to take a 14-9 lead. The Broncs would go on a run to take cut the deficit to one point. Saint Peter's would not let up, scoring four consecutive points to open the lead up to 20-16. The Peacocks would not look back, taking the first set, 25-21. Reinhart finished the set with six kills.
Second set, Saint Peter's picked up where they left off, starting the set on a 14-8 advantage. The Broncs would make a comeback, going on an 11-5 run to tie the set at 19. Both teams would exchange points to keep the score tied at 22. Rider would prevail, scoring three straight points to win the set, 25-22.
In the third set, Rider would start off hot, starting the match with an early 13-5 lead. The Broncs would not allow the Peacocks back into the set, winning the third set, 25-9.
In the fourth set, both teams exchanged points with Rider holding a 14-7 advantage. The Peacocks would continue to fight back, but it wouldn't be enough as Rider took the fourth set, 25-11.
Junior Kristina Baehr (Manassas, Va./Stonewall Jackson) finished the game with a team-high 30 assists. Senior Jenny Pliska (Portland, Ore./La Salle College Prep) tallied 18 digs on the afternoon.
With the loss, Saint Peter's falls to 3-13 overall and 1-2 in MAAC play.
The Peacocks return to action Wednesday, Oct. 2, when they welcome the Gaels of Iona College to the Yanitelli Center for their conference matchup.
