LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Saint Peter's Peacocks (5-13, 3-8 MAAC) showed flashes of momentum but couldn't hold off the Rider Broncs (10-15, 9-3 MAAC), who capitalized on key errors to claim a three-set victory on their home court
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Rider opened the first set with a quick lead after a Peacock error and an ace. Junior Elena Bilhartz struck back with a serve for Saint Peter's first point, but unforced errors gave the Broncs space to pull ahead 8-4. Down 19-11, the Peacocks turned up the pressure with a five-point surge led by a kill from sophomore Maliyah Labrie, a double block from Bilhartz and freshman Skye Graham, and a pair of aces from Karolina Rodriguez, closing the gap to 19-16. A block from Bilhartz and senior Penelope Rivera delayed Rider's set point, but a final error ended it, 25-20, for the Broncs.
In the second set, Rider took a 3-0 start, but Labrie landed the Peacocks' first kill to get the offense rolling. Rivera and Rodriguez kept Saint Peter's within reach with hard-fought kills, and back-to-back aces from Rivera brought the score to 12-7. Rider's answer was a four-point burst that expanded their lead, ultimately capturing the set 25-14 after another Peacock misstep.
With momentum at stake, the Peacocks jumped ahead in set three, charging to a 5-0 lead behind two service aces from freshman Danielle Caligiuri and a Rivera kill. The Broncs countered with their own run, and though Rivera and Graham put up points to try to slow Rider's pace, another series of Bronc points closed out the match. Rider took set three, 25-14, to complete the sweep.
Inside the Numbers:
Rivera led the Peacocks with nine kills and 12.5 points
Graham landed four of nine kills, swinging .333 on the day
Rodriguez tallied five kills and three aces
Caligiuri notched 10 assists
Up Next:
The Saint Peter's Peacocks are back on the road, heading to Poughkeepsie, NY, on Saturday, November 2, to face the Red Foxes of Marist College. First serve is set for 1 p.m.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
