The Rider Broncs traveled to Hamden on Sunday to take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Quinnipiac entered its regular season finale on a three-game winning streak with hopes of solidifying its seeding before the MAAC Tournament begins on Wednesday. However, the most important storyline of the day was not the game itself but celebrating Senior Day.

Seniors Aryanah Diaz and Alisa Mejia were honored for their hard work and contributions to not only the volleyball team but Quinnipiac as a whole. Both families of Diaz and Mejia were in attendance for Sunday’s game having traveled from Florida and New York, respectively. Diaz’s mother Yadira was proud of her daughter for accomplishing something special for the family.

“She’s the first child in the family and is one of the first to graduate college,” said Yadira. “So that’s very special for us with everything she’s been through — personal and school — which is a great accomplishment for her and to getting to this milestone.”

During the first set, Diaz anchored the team providing six kills to give the Bobcats the early advantage. Diaz has led the team in kills this season with 297. Sunday’s game was no exception as she and Ginevra Giovagnoni were tied for the team lead with 11. Diaz played with a lot of emotion, as this was one of her last games as a Bobcat.

“The first thing I was feeling was sad,” said Diaz. “This was the end of a journey with most people I know Alisa and Nicole (Legg) and they’ve been my closest friends here. Today was definitely about playing for each other.”

Mejia’s mother Kate was proud of her daughter for all the hard work Alisa has put in over the last four years.

“We’re so proud of her for all that she has accomplished on the court and off the court,” said Kate Mejia. “She’s really excelled in the classroom, and she just makes us proud every day.”

During the third set, Mejia appeared on the court for the Bobcats despite suffering an ankle injury against Manhattan. Mejia was pleased about getting an opportunity to walk on the Quinnipiac court one last time.

“I’m just really grateful that Kyle (Robinson) did something like that,” said Mejia. “He didn’t have to do that. It was just really special, and he’s been so sympathetic and such a great coach throughout this whole process. He’s made it very easy to be grateful on a day like today.”

Coach Kyle Robinson spoke fondly about Diaz and Mejia.

“We’ll always be celebrating them for the rest of their lives,” Robinson said. “I’m always appreciative of people who work hard for me. I’m just proud of the work these young women have done and for allowing me to be a positive influence in their lives. Not every athlete does that.”

Quinnipiac swept Rider in three sets. During the Bobcats’ past four games, Quinnipiac has only lost one set.

The Bobcats will travel to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida to play in the MAAC Tournament on Thursday.