Despite a first set victory and strong play throughout, the Siena Volleyball team was defeated on the road by the Rider Broncs by a final score of 3-1 (25-19, 15-25, 23-25, 20-25). Graduate student Emily Wunder and senior Maddy Dunigan were the standouts for the Saints, each collecting double-digit kills.
 
"That was a match of huge momentum shifts both ways," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "I know as our team continues to grow, we will learn to manage our ups and downs. Having said that, our ups were so strong and the team did some really good things out there today."
 
Wunder finished with 12 kills on the day, with Dunigan contributing 10 kills. Sophomore Meghan Johnsson also had a solid effort, tossing out 24 assists with seven digs, three kills, three blocks, and a service ace. Sophomore Greta Stjade also was strong with four kills and 10 digs.
 
Rider was led by a huge game from MAAC Preseason Player of the Year Morgan Romano, as she nearly finished with a triple double – 24 kills, 13 digs, and six service aces. Jillian Chan was also strong with 13 kills, while Anilee Sher tossed out 48 assists on the match. Pamela Loh, playing libero for the Broncs, led the team with 17 total digs.
 
Siena jumped out to the early lead in the first set, keeping pace ahead of the Broncs with multiple small runs. Leading 11-9, Siena would go on a 7-2 run to open that lead to 18-11 thanks to multiple kills from Wunder. Siena would continue the strong play despite a small run from Rider that brought the Broncs back within four at 21-17. The Saints then got back-to-back kills from Dunigan and Olga Sawinska, and finally closed out the set on a Broncs error to win 25-19. However, Rider got flipped the script in the second set as things evened out at 1-1 going into the intermission as Rider took a 25-15 win.
 
It would truly be an up-and-down third set for both sides, as the Saints opened with a 10-2 lead in the set. Then after a Rider timeout, the Broncs then charged ahead with a 12-1 run and took a 14-11 lead. Things would then flip back Siena's way, as the Saints scored six points in a row to then take a 17-14 lead. Then it would be a battle to the finish as things knotted up at 20-20 after a Rider service error. But back-to-back kills from Tori Schrader to give Rider the edge. The Broncs would use that advantage to end the set 25-23 to take a 2-1 lead.

In the fourth, Rider would put the match away. Holding a 17-11 lead late, Siena gave a run back into the set coming back within four points to make it 24-20 in favor of Rider. However, it would be a little too little too late as a kill from Romano ended it, as the Broncs took the 3-1 victory.
 
The Saints return to action tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 3 when they head to Jersey City to take on Saint Peter's. Opening serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.