The Quinnipiac women’s volleyball team closed out its 2016 regular season home stand with a 3-1 win over Rider University. The Bobcats came into the match as the second best team in the MAAC with a 9-4 record in conference and a 17-9 overall slate.
The first set was filled with back and forth action early on, and Quinnipiac made the first stop of the game when they called a timeout up 12-10. After a small run from the Broncs, the Bobcats regained their momentum and ended up winning the set 25-17. Among the top performers of the first set was freshman Natalie Alechko who notched five points and four kills.
“We know we needed this win to propel us for next weekend,” Alechko said. “It was a good win, we definitely needed it.”
Back and forth tendencies were apparent again early on in the second set. Furthermore, Rider and Quinnipiac had their own struggles as both teams lacked discipline at times. However, Quinnipiac sophomore Jen Coffey was able to rebound after a quiet first set tallying six kills and seven points. The Bobcats ultimately took the second set by a score of 25-19.
Looking for a sweep, the Bobcats instead were welcomed to a revitalized Rider team. The Broncs matched the Bobcats in terms of both intensity and effectiveness. The Bobcats appeared to pull away with the set win as they led 16-10 at one point, but Rider put together an impressive comeback winning the set 25-23.
Freshman Maria Pansari, who recently set the Quinnipiac record for assists, knew that the team had to come out strong in the fourth to take the win.
“We mentally let up a bit in the third,” Pansari said. “We knew we were in it, that we were playing well. And I think that we never lost our confidence, so we went into the fourth with confidence knowing we had to close it out to get the win.”
Sophomore Kat Miller, one of the games top performers with 13.5 points and 11 kills, echoed Pansari’s feelings regarding the approach to the fourth set.
“It was all about energy,” Miller said. “As long as everyone is involved on or off the court, it really helps us.”
Coming into the fourth set, it was even play until Quinnipiac built up a 13-9 lead. However, the lead wouldn’t last long as Rider would storm back to create a 19-17 lead. Despite the intense, tight play, Quinnipiac was able to grab the set win by a tight score of 25-23.
“Rider is a talented team,” Quinnipiac head coach Kris Czaplinski said. “This is what we’ve been practicing for. We’ve practiced situations where we’re down, and how to come back. If you practice well, you’re going to play well.”
If there was one thing to take away from the game, Quinnipiac remained determined throughout the contest. Czaplinski was well aware of how it translated into the team’s play.
“We’ve practiced communication and energy for the last month,” Czaplinski said. “It’s been lacking a little bit, but today we put a lot of emphasis on it. I’m very happy to see it today.”
Quinnipiac will play its next game on Friday when it faces the Niagara Purple Eagles on the road at 3 p.m.
