RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (3-19, 1-11 MAAC) fell in its conference contest to the Gaels of Iona University (9-17, 4-8 MAAC) in five sets (23-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 8-15) inside Draddy Gymnasium on Tuesday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Nine ties through the first 11 points denoted an early marker for even play, as Hanna Kaczynska delivered the final of the many tying points.
- This pace continued through late in the set, as Julia Leonardo of the Gaels tied the opening dance at 20-all.
- Katie Powers' service ace put the Jaspers within one at 24-23, but another Leonardo kill ended the set in favor of Iona.
- The second set saw more ties to start, highlighted by a dual block from Fiona VanDyke and Powers to bring the crowd into the match.
- Emma Francesconi notched a service ace of her own, but the visitors extended their advantage to four at 16-12, forcing a Manhattan timeout.
- Out of the break, a 7-3 run brought the Green and White back to a knotted score at 19 apiece.
- Despite two VanDyke kills down the stretch, the Gaels netted six of the final eight points to take a commanding two set margin.
- After an early deficit in the third, Manhattan once more sent the crowd into a frenzy after Francesconi and Abby Morreale teamed up for another block, taking a 6-5 advantage.
- Coming out of another timeout facing an 11-7 difference in favor of Iona, VanDyke and Powers helped the squad rip off three unanswered scores.
- Manhattan faced its biggest hurdle at 16-12, but later forcing a Gael stoppage following Morreale and Kaczynska kills.
- With a second timeout at 22-20 Jaspers, Teresa Garza's service ace capped off by VanDyke's kill gave the Green and White their first set of the night.
- It was the home squad going out to a quick lead in the fourth, as a Morreale kill brought the score to 9-5 Jaspers.
- With Iona creeping to within one late again, three of the final four points were captured by Manhattan, with a Morreale kill sending the match to a decisive fifth set.
- The Gaels grabbbed the first five scores, with Kari Smith registering three straight service aces.
- While the Jaspers were able to turn it into a fight, Iona proved to be too much to overcome, as a final kill from Emma Koceja thwarted the earlier Manhattan momentum.
STATS AND NOTES
- Junior middle blocker Abby Morreale led the way with 13 kills, as her, Freshman outside hitter Emma Francesconi, and Sophomore outside hitter Fiona VanDyke combining for 36 of the team's 47.
- The Green and White took control of the inside game, with 10 blocks to the Gaels' six.
- The Jaspers hit at their best rate in the third set, with a .310 clip.
- Sophomore and Junior setters Hunter Kwan and Emilia Kuzniar spread the ball around the most, accumulating 39 assists between the two of them.
NEXT UP
The Green and White will hit the road on Friday, October 31, when the Jaspers take on the Warriors from Merrimack College to continue MAAC play from North Andover, MA. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. opening serve
Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).
