RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (4-23, 2-15 MAAC) fell in its conference contest against the Stags from Fairfield University (22-5, 16-1 MAAC), in straight sets (23-25, 24-26, 22-25) inside Draddy Gymnasium on Friday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Back-to-back kills from Emma Francesconi and Fiona VanDyke evened up the opening set's score early at four.
- Three more unanswered points, capped off by a service ace from Emilia Kuzniar, tied it once more at 10.
- An 8-2 stretch after Fairfield took an 11-10 lead put Manhattan in the driver's seat, up five midway through.
- VanDyke registered a service ace of her own to go up 23-21, but the Stags persevered to take the final four points, winning the set.
- Manhattan came out on the offensive for the second dance, as Francesconi finished off an early 6-3 stretch with a kill.
- A dual block from Francesconi and Katie Powers electrified the Draddy crowd, putting the Green and White up four.
- Fairfield picked up steam once again midway through the second set, taking a 16-15 lead before a series of ties through the 21st points.
- Francesconi's service ace put Manhattan in another good spot, up 24-21.
- Five consecutive points from the visitors were capped off by the Stags' Maya Walker, putting the Jaspers in a two-set hole.
- Going 6-1 in the early part of the third, VanDyke cooked up another service ace to go up 11-8.
- Kuzniar and Francesconi both found their second aces of the night late, trimming the deficit to 21-20.
- Despite late momentum in all three sets, Fairfield put the match away on a kill from Emma Bortolotti.
STATS AND NOTES
- Freshman right side Hanna Kaczynska and Sophomore outside hitter Fiona VanDyke led the way in kills, combining for 25 of the team's 44.
- Manhattan took advantage over the Stags in the inside game, taking the block battle 9-5.
- The Jaspers hit at their best rate in the third set, with a .370 clip.
- Junior outside hitter Katie Powers contributed the most to the Green and White's block party, assisting on four and recording a solo denial.
- Junior and Sophomore setters Emilia Kuzniar and Hunter Kwan spread the ball around the most, accounting for 38 of Manhattan's 43 assists.
NEXT UP
The Green and White will return to Draddy Gymnasium for Senior Day tomorrow, November 15, when the Jaspers welcome the Pioneers from Sacred Heart University to wrap up a four-game homestand to end MAAC play. The match can be viewed live on the Jasper Sports Network and is slated for a 4 p.m. opening serve. Senior Day ceremonies will begin at 3:50 p.m..
Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).
