POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist volleyball team split a doubleheader with the Rider Broncs on Sunday afternoon. After dropping the first game 3-1, the Red Foxes bounced back with an impressive 3-1 victory in game two, behind 18 kills from Madelyn Waumans, to earn their first victory of the season.
 
With the split, Marist's record improves to 1-3 (1-3 MAAC), while the Broncs record also goes to 1-3 (1-3 MAAC) on the year.

 

MATCH 1 SUMMARY

• Rider got off to a quick start in the game, taking an early 10-6 lead. The Broncs held that four-point lead give or take a few points throughout most of the set. Waumans had a big block of Morgan Romano to bring the Red Foxes within three points, 19-16, but that was as close as they would get. Rider won the set 25-21.
• Marist bounced back quickly in the second set behind two aces from Kendall O'Brien and two kills from Sasha van der Merwe. Rider fought back, eventually tying the set at 20, however the Red Foxes closed the game on a 5-2 run capped by a combined block from Skylar Harrison and van der Merwe to win the set 25-22.
• The Red Foxes continued that momentum into the third set, taking a 18-16 lead about midway through. Rider wouldn't quit, but eventually Marist pulled away enough to secure the 25-22 victory after a kill from Waumans.
• Rider forced a fifth set after a lopsided set four. The Broncs held an 11-6 advantage forcing Marist to call a timeout in the fifth set, but Marist scored four straight points to bring the score to 11-10. The Broncs held that edge until it was 14-13, but were able to seal the deal on a kill from Ali Ward. Rider won the first match 3-2.

 

MATCH 2 SUMMARY

• Freshman Jordan Newblatt ignited Marist's offense from the get-go in the first set. She collected two early kills which sparked an 8-2 run to start the match. The Red Foxes would not relinquish that lead the entire set, cruising to a 25-19 victory behind great play from Newblatt and van der Merwe.
• Set two was tightly contested, with neither team leading by more than one point until Gabby Murray put Marist in front 16-14 with a monster slam. Rider fought back and briefly took the lead, but Waumans caught fire smacking three kills on the next four rallies to give the Red Foxes a 20-18 lead. Skylar Harrison and Waumans would team up for the set-clinching block, securing a 25-20 victory.
• Rider fought to stay alive in the third set. The Broncs took an early 8-4 lead, but the Red Foxes fought back to event the set at 12. However, Rider went on an extended 12-5 run to go ahead 24-17 and, despite a 5-0 Marist run to close the gap, went on to win the set 25-22.
• The fourth set was a back-and-forth affair. Rider held a small edge throughout most of the period, but Murray, Newblatt, and Waumans connected for points whenever Marist fell behind. With the game tied at 22, a Rider attack error put the Red Foxes in front 23-22. Newblatt closed the match with two more kills to give Marist a 25-23 victory, and a 3-1 win.

 
 

STATS

• Van der Merwe led Marist in the first match of the day with 12 kills, five total blocks, and four digs. Waumans and Newblatt also had double-figure kills.
• Waumans had a team-high 18 kills and 13 digs in the second match helping Marist secure the victory.
• McKinley Fox had 41 assists in game two, following up 28 in game one, giving her 69 for the day.
• Murray had seven total blocks in the first game, and two in game two, totaling nine on the day. Harrison also had nine total blocks on the day.
• Marist outhit Rider in game two, .259-.207.
• The Red Foxes blockers were out in full force today, combining to out-block the Broncs 23-14 through both games.

 
 

NOTES

• Waumans matched her career-high with 18 kills in the second game, and a career-high with 13 digs. This was the second double-double of her career.
• O'Brien had a career-high four service aces in the first match, and a career-high 13 digs in the second game.
• Morgan Owens matched her career-high with seven assists in the first game.
• Van der Merwe had a career-high five blocks in game two.
• Harrison's seven total blocks in game two were a career-high.

 
 

UP NEXT

The Red Foxes have a quick turnaround, traveling to take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats on Friday, Mar. 19. It will be another doubleheader, with the first serve of game one scheduled for noon.