Game #1: Pace Setters at Manhattan Jaspers
Monday, November 2, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Draddy Gymnasium | Riverdale, N.Y.
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RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Fresh off of a third consecutive MAAC Championship quarterfinal appearance, the 2026-27 Manhattan Jaspers take the floor for the first time tonight against Division II Pace, with the two teams meeting for the first time in each program's history. With 12 newcomers that includes six juniors freshly graduated off of the JUCO circuit, Head Coach
Heather Vulin is ready to revamp and reload ahead of the new year. Looking to win the season opener for the first time since 2023, the Jaspers will rely on team captains
Olivia Grgicevich Lassey and
Amanda Baumgarte in light of the recent
Kristina Juric injury.
Taylah Murtagh is another key transfer on this year's squad, attending the Metro's preseason Media Day held in Atlantic City, N.J., also the site of this year's Metro Championship.
Scouting the Opposition:
•Despite no official games under their belt, an exhibition against UMass in October has given the Setters some brief experience to start the 2026-27 season.
•Sophomore forward Claire Fitzpatrick led the team in scoring, as the lone Setter in double figures with 10 points.
•Graduate guard Cali Chiocchi followed closely behind her with nine, knocking down all three shots she took from the field.
•The Setters return eight to this year's team from the 2025-26 team, including multiple starters.
•On top of their returners, a total of nine newcomers join the team, including eight freshman and sophomore transfer Syniya Barton, hailing from fellow Division I Hofstra.
•Pace was selected to finish eighth in the 2026-27 NE10 Preseason Coaches' Poll, sandwiched in between Saint Michael's and Saint Anselm.
•The Setters come off a 7-20 year in 2025-26, finishing 3-15 inside the Northeast 10 Conference.
•Pace did not qualify for the 2026 edition of the NE10 Women's Basketball Championship, with the Setters last qualifying in 2025, losing to fourth-seeded Southern Connecticut State 68-61 in New Haven.
•This will serve as the first matchup in program history between Pace and Manhattan, with the Jaspers never clashing with the Division II squad.
Series History vs. Setters:
First meeting in program history.
