FAIRFIELD, CT – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (5-17, 4-7 Metro) fell to the Pioneers from Sacred Heart (14-9, 7-4 Metro) in straight sets (16-25, 19-25, 23-25) on Saturday evening at William H. Pitt Center.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Ori Briger's service ace kicked off the match to give the Jaspers an early lead.
- Sacred Heart stretched out their first set advantage to 12-7 midway through after a dual block.
- Abby Morreale and Katie Powers responded with a dual block of their own to put Manhattan back within three.
- Later on, it was Hanna Kaczynska and Helenn Montilla with a dual block to trim the deficit to 18-14.
- The Pioneers scored the final five points in the opener to take the set 25-16.
- Morreale and Powers stacked up kills for two of the first three to start the second stanza.
- Another three-point run included a Mikalah Curran service ace and a kill from Emma Francesconi for Manhattan to go up two at 8-6.
- After Sacred Heart gained some separation, Francesconi teamed up with Montilla late in the set to trim the deficit to 22-16.
- While Powers and Francesconi tallied some kills down the stretch, the Pioneers survived the surge and took a two-set lead.
- Tying through the first ten points to start the third, three straight points for the Green and White, including a service ace from Francesconi, put them up 8-5.
- Despite Morreale and Francesconi getting yet another dual block to build their lead to four at 16-12, seven straight scores from the hosts quickly saw the script flip to 19-16.
- Six out of the next eight were scored by Manhattan, resulting in a 22-21 margin in favor of the Jaspers late.
- Sacred Heart responded to take four of the final five, securing the set and the match.
STATS AND NOTES
- Senior and Sophomore outside hitters Katie Powers and Emma Francesconi combined for 12 kills.
- Senior middle blocker Abby Morreale recorded five blocks, with Sophomore Helenn Montilla's four following right behind her.
- Manhattan hit at their best rate in the final set, with a .226 clip.
- Junior setter Ori Briger tallied the most assists with 16.
NEXT UP
Head Coach Brooke Alverson and the Jaspers will return to the Empire State on Tuesday, October 27. A rivalry will be reignited in New Rochelle as the Green and White clash with the Gaels of Iona. Action from Hynes Athletics Center will begin at 5:00 p.m., and can be streamed live on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.
Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).
