NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (3-20, 1-12 MAAC) fell in its conference contest to the Warriors of Merrimack College (6-16, 4-9 MAAC) in four sets (21-25, 23-25, 25-17, 21-25) at Hammel Court on Friday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Fiona VanDyke ripped off two kills in Manhattan's first five points to create a quick swift of momentum.
- Each side exchanged unanswered runs of five or more, as Merrimack's seven unanswered after an early 5-2 Jasper lead was thwarted by the Green and White's response of five to retake the advantage.
- The Warriors began to settle in midway through the first, stretching out an 11-3 run to go up seven.
- Even with the Jaspers closing to within three, a Merrimack kill gave the first set to the home team.
- Trading points once again to start the second, a dual block from VanDyke and Katie Powers knotted up the score at 8-8.
- Abby Morreale continued her dominance on the inside, compiling both a solo block and teaming up on another with Emilia Kuzniar to cut the Manhattan deficit to one at 17-16.
- Emma Francesconi grabbed a solo denial of her own for the Jaspers' sixth block out of a total eight before Merrimack picked up a two-set advantage.
- It was Manhattan starting off hot in the third, registering the first four points and six of the first eight.
- VanDyke accounted for five consecutive Jasper kills alone with an equal amount of kills, putting the Green and White up two midway through.
- Manhattan began to take control as the set wore on, taking advantage of multiple errors on behalf of the Warriors.
- Teresa Garza's service ace put Merrimack away, winning the Jaspers their first set of the night.
- The Warriors flipped the script back in their favor in the fourth, scoring four unanswered and 12 of the first 20 points.
- VanDyke's efforts brought Manhattan close to sneaking away with another set, but back-to-back attack errors ended the night in North Andover.
STATS AND NOTES
- Sophomore outside hitter Fiona VanDyke and Freshman outside hitter Hanna Kaczynska combined for 27 kills.
- VanDyke also led the way in service aces, tacking on two.
- The Jaspers hit at their best rate in the third set, with a .205 clip.
- Junior right side Katie Powers contributed to four of Manhattan's eight blocks.
NEXT UP
The Green and White will finish out their brief road stint tomorrow, November 1, when the Jaspers take on the Bobcats from Quinnipiac University to wrap up MAAC play from Hamden, CT. The match is slated for a 5 p.m. opening serve.
Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).
