FAIRFIELD, CT – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (2-15, 0-8 MAAC) dropped to the Pioneers of Sacred Heart University (6-14, 3-5 MAAC) in straight sets (18-25, 24-26, 21-25) inside William H. Pitt Athletic & Convocation Center on Friday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A dual block from Emma Francesconi and Abby Morreale capped off an early surge from the Jaspers, taking a 6-3 first set lead.
- Following a service error to put Manhattan up a point, Sacred Heart ripped off six of the next seven to put themselves back in the driver's seat.
- An 8-1 run put the Pioneers within one point of the win before Teresa Garza's service ace followed by a Katie Powers kill.
- Despite late momentum, the Jaspers couldn't keep up the streak, falling in the opening set.
- Morreale continued the block party with a solo edition for another early Green and White second set lead at 4-1.
- Seven unanswered points from Manhattan ensued midway through, including a Powers service ace and dual block from Morreale and Hanna Kaczynska.
- With the score reading 23-19 late in favor of the Jaspers, Sacred Heart led a comeback effort to tie the set at 24 apiece, later finished off by a kill and dual block.
- Unlike the opening two, it was the Pioneers with a quick attack, as a Christina Montanez kill put them up 9-4.
- The Jaspers later crawled back to a 14-all tie, with Kaczynska spiking the ball home.
- Reaching back to a one point deficit late at 21-20, four of the final five points were granted to the Pioneers, putting the match away in favor of the home squad.
STATS AND NOTES
- Junior middle blocker Abby Morreale proved to be the Jasper star of the show, with eight kills and five blocks.
- Manhattan hit at its best rate in the second set, with a .222 clip.
- The Green and White dominated the battle for service aces, prevailing 7-1.
- Sophomore outside hitter Fiona VanDyke led the way in digs with 15.
- Senior setter Sarah Emmons spread the ball out the most, tacking on 14 assists.
NEXT UP
The Green and White will continue their brief road stint tomorrow, October 18, when the Jaspers travel across Fairfield to take on the Stags of Fairfield University inside Leo D. Mahoney Arena. The match can be viewed with a paid subscription to ESPN+ for a 4 p.m. opening serve.
Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).
