CHICAGO, IL – The Manhattan Jaspers' Men's Volleyball program (2-4, 0-0 NEC) fell to the Ramblers of #7 Loyola Chicago (4-3, 0-0 MIVA) in straight sets (15-25, 19-25, 16-25) inside Joseph J. Gentile Arena on Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The program's first trip to the Midwest started with the Jaspers logging the first point after taking advantage of the Ramblers attempt error nice and early.
- After surrendering the next two points off the Jaspers' two errors, the Green and White were able to post the next three consecutive points.
- Both teams went back and forth before the Jaspers, again, put together five of the next six points to take its largest lead, courtesy of Wojtek Nowak with the go-ahead kill. Followed by the insurance tally for an 11-9 lead.
- Fast forward to the second set where the Green and White trailed by one set, the Jaspers opened the stanza the same way they opened the match, with a point, but earning a kill was Kasen Owens.
- Trailing by as much as six, the Jaspers posted the next four points to shrink its deficit to just two, with Drew Blonski getting on the board with his first kill of the night.
- Manhattan and Loyola Chicago went back and forth and traded points, before three straight points eventually propelled the Ramblers to secure the second set.
- In the third set, the Jaspers put together back-to-back points from Sam Morreale and Kai Patchell's lone service ace of the day.
STATS AND NOTES
- Junior outside hitter Wojtek Nowak paced the Jaspers with 10 kills on 24 attempts, while logging one block solo and five digs for 11 total points.
- Sophomore outside hitter Kasen Owens added eight kills to his resume on 26 attempts, with two digs and one block assist for 8.5 points.
- Freshman setter Drew Blonski logged two kills on as many attempts, while adding 27 set assists and two digs.
- Freshman opposite hitter Kai Patchell registered four kills on six attempts, with the teams' lone service ace posted for a combined five points.
NEXT UP
The Jaspers continue its Midwest journey tomorrow, Saturday, January 31, when the Green and White visit the Flyers of #9 Lewis University inside Neil Carey Arena in Romeoville. The contest can be viewed on YouTube for free.
Follow Manhattan Men's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@ManhattanMVBall).
