RIVERDALE, NY – Honoring two valuable seniors prior to the match, The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (4-24, 2-16 MAAC) fell in its conference contest against the Pioneers from Sacred Heart University (11-19, 8-10 MAAC), in straight sets (21-25, 18-25, 17-25) inside Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Seniors Sarah Emmons and Teresa Garza were honored prior to the match, bidding adieu to the Jaspers program after eight combined years in the Green and White.
- Hanna Kaczynska's early kill knotted up the score at five in the first set.
- Three consecutive attack errors from Sacred Heart put the Jaspers back within one at 11-10.
- Manhattan grabbed their first lead of the afternoon at 17-16 with Kaczynska slamming the ball home once more.
- A dual block from Katie Powers and Fiona VanDyke put the Green and White in reach late, trailing by only two.
- A service ace coming from the visitors' Miliani Villarreal put the first set to rest in favor of Sacred Heart.
- Emilia Kuzniar clocked a service ace of her own in the earlier parts of the second, capping off an opening 6-2 stretch by the hosts.
- Powers and VanDyke teamed up once again to tie the second dance at seven.
- Sacred Heart burst out to a 9-1 run midway through, taking an eight point lead after a kill from Emily Sawyer.
- Kuzniar found another service ace, and a dual block form Emma Francesconi and Abby Morreale were the last Jasper points in the second, as the Pioneers won 25-18.
- It was the road squad out to a quick advantage in the third, capturing eight of the first ten points.
- Manhattan got back to within six late with Morreale and Kaczynska providing another denial, but Sacred Heart won the final set 25-17 to end the afternoon.
STATS AND NOTES
- Freshman right side Hanna Kaczynska led the way in kills with six.
- Manhattan dominated the Pioneers in the inside game, taking the block battle 13-4.
- The Jaspers hit at their best rate in the opening set, with a .233 clip.
- Junior outside hitter Katie Powers contributed the most to the Green and White's block party, assisting on nine.
- Senior and Junior setters Sarah Emmons and Emilia Kuzniar spread the ball around the most, accounting for 18 of Manhattan's 22 assists.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS
- Head Coach Mauro Miletic on the impact of Emmons and Garza: "We are very grateful for the time, commitment, and dedication of Sarah and Teresa. They were both freshmen our (along with Assistant Coach Sara Atai) first year as a coaching duo and have stuck with the program through thick and thin. We are excited to see what comes next and I hope they know they're always welcome back inside Draddy."
- Miletic recapping the 2025 season: "While the wins and losses of this season didn't turn out how we would have liked, I think we showed that we are a team that's capable of doing great things. So many of those losses were very close, and with a few different choices we may have turned them into wins. Regardless, we are hopeful and optimistic for the future and think we have something great to build on."
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