College Volleyball – MAAC Opening Round
#4 Fairfield University 3, #5 Rider University 0

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—The Rider University volleyball team lost to fourth seed Fairfield University 3-0 on Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the 2014 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championships.

Fairfield won 25-23, 25-14, 25-22.

“In order for our program to reach the championship level that we all want to reach, players have to be willing, as a unit, to give everything they have got and also be willing to give more than they think they are capable of,” said head coach Christopher Feliciano.  “I saw flashes of that today but not from the entire unit.”

For Rider (17-16), the number five seed, senior Jaclyn Webber (Anaheim, Calif./Canyon) had 13 digs and nine kills, attacking .308.

“Jaclyn wanted every ball,” Feliciano said.  “She wanted everything hit to her and served to her.  She was fully engaged, both physically, emotionally and spiritually and the numbers show that.”

Leading the setters was senior Ashlee Amatulli (Menifee, Calif./Temecula Valley) who had 16 assists and five digs.

Rider was out-attacked .254 to .155.

“We need to play with more passion, more energy and more drive,” Feliciano said.  “That is the separation from being a good team to being an outstanding team that can contend for a championship.  We need to sacrifice and do whatever is necessary to win.  Championship teams, that's all they care about.  Learning how to do that is our next step.”

The 10-team, double elimination tournament is being held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Florida.

Rider and Fairfield met twice during the regular season with the Stags winning 3-0 in Connecticut on October 25 (25-18, 25-18, 25-17) and Fairfield was also a 3-0 winner in Lawrenceville on October 11 (25-16, 28-26, 25-22), giving the Broncs one of only three home losses this season.

After a four-match winning streak in late October, Rider has now lost five of its last six matches.  Rider's 17 wins are still a high water mark for the squad in the past 21 seasons.

Rider plays in the 2pm elimination match of the consolations on Friday against either Iona, Saint Peter's or Canisius.

“We have to be mentally strong since we aren't competing for the title anymore,” Feliciano added.  “We need to be disciplined and focused to try and get a win on Friday.”

Competition continues through Saturday.

-RU-