NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (6-21, 5-11 Metro) fell to the Warriors from Merrimack (4-25, 4-12 Metro) in five sets (18-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 11-15) inside the Sakowich Center on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Merrimack jumped out to an early advantage in the opening set, taking an 8-2 lead before a kill from Hanna Kaczynska helped Manhattan begin to chip away.
- The Jaspers continued to battle, with a dual block from Helenn Montilla and Katie Powers trimming the deficit.
- A four-point stretch highlighted by kills from Mikalah Curran brought Manhattan within striking distance, but the Warriors maintained control to take the opening set 25-18.
- The Green and White responded in the second, trading points with Merrimack early before a kill from Abby Morreale and a service ace from Ori Briger helped knot the set at 11-all.
- The teams continued to exchange points, with a kill from Powers and another service ace from Morreale keeping the Jaspers within reach.
- After the Warriors pulled ahead, Manhattan answered with timely kills from Kaczynska and Emma Francesconi to maintain its momentum.
- The Jaspers closed out the second with a three-point run, capped by a kill from Francesconi, to even the match with a 25-21 victory.
- Merrimack regained the lead in the third, using a strong stretch midway through the set to create separation.
- Manhattan continued to fight, with kills from Laura Hernandez, Kaczynska, and Montilla helping the visitors stay within striking distance.
- The Warriors held off the Jaspers' push, taking the third set 25-19 to move within one set of the match.
- Facing elimination, Manhattan came out firing in the fourth, opening with a six-point stretch to take an early 6-1 advantage.
- Merrimack worked its way back into the set, eventually drawing even at 11-all before the two sides traded points down the stretch.
- With the score tied at 21-all, a kill from Powers and another from Hernandez helped Manhattan regain the advantage.
- The Jaspers secured the final two points to take the fourth 25-23 and force a deciding fifth set.
- Manhattan carried its momentum into the final stanza, with Powers serving up a string of service aces to help the visitors jump ahead 7-2.
- The Warriors responded with a five-point run of their own, eventually taking an 11-9 lead.
- The Green and White stayed within reach, but Merrimack captured four of the final five points to secure the fifth set 15-11 and the match.
STATS AND NOTES
- Senior outside hitter Katie Powers led the Manhattan offense with 10 kills while adding seven service aces and 20 digs.
- Sophomore right side Hanna Kaczynska contributed 11 kills and three total blocks.
- Redshirt freshman middle blocker Laura Hernandez also recorded 10 kills and three total blocks.
- Sophomore middle blocker Helenn Montilla paced the Jaspers at the net with five total blocks.
- Senior middle blocker Abby Morreale added eight kills and four total blocks.
- Junior and Senior setters Ori Briger and Emilia Kuzniar distributed 24 and 20 assists, respectively.
NEXT UP
Head Coach Brooke Alverson and the Jaspers will return home to Riverdale starting Friday, November 13 for James Patterson Honors Program Night against the Broncs from Rider. Action from Draddy Gymnasium is scheduled to get underway at 6:00 p.m. and can be viewed live on the Jasper Sports Network.
Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).
