FAIRFAX, VA – The Manhattan Jaspers' Men's Volleyball program (2-8, 0-0 NEC) fell in the second match to the Patriots of George Mason University (5-4, 0-0 EIVA) once more in four sets (20-25, 17-25, 25-23, 24-26) inside the Recreation Athletic Complex on Friday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Looking to bounce back after the four-set effort in the front end of the Patriot doubleheader, where the Jaspers were, but couldn't start the way they wanted to.
- After the opposition posted eight of the first 12 points, the Jaspers were able to rally back, highlighted by Kasen Owens capturing a much-needed putaway.
- The Jaspers continued to surrender points, with as many as five additional to George Mason midway through, before Manhattan cut its deficit to as little as three, once again, taking advantage of the Patriots' miscues.
- In the second set, the Jaspers fell behind by as much as nine before slowly climbing back with three unanswered points from Owens, Morreale, and a Patriots error, before George Mason closed it out to take a two-set lead.
- With both teams trading points and George Mason moving ahead by two, the Jaspers found a way, again, with four straight points off the back of Drew Blonski's ace, before Max Larcheid's kill and Kai Patchell's service ace gave the Green and White a breathable three-point edge.
- Manhattan then moved ahead by three for the second time, with Patchell and Collin Carroll each posting kills. Sam Morreale lifted the Jaspers to their 24th point before an attack error by the opposition gave the Jaspers the third set victory.
- In a very tight fourth set, the Jaspers went ahead 15-14 with Larcheid and Morreale recording back-to-back kills.
- The Patriots responded with three straight, before Carroll and Morreale tied the game at 20 on perfect set-ups by Blonski.
- The Jaspers went ahead by two, 23-21, before Morreale's service error brought George Mason back into the set.
- With Manhattan sitting with two set points, the Patriots recorded four straight points to stun the Jaspers in the final four points to take the match behind a ball-handling error and three Patriot kills.
STATS AND NOTES
- Sam Morreale paced the Green and White with 11 kills on 31 attempts, with one set assist, one service ace, and five digs for 12 total points.
- Kai Patchell logged five kills on 19 attempts, with two service aces, one block, and two digs for 7.5 points.
- Collin Carroll added six kills on 14 attacks for a .214 hitting clip. Carroll added a team-high three block attempts and five digs for another 7.5 points.
- Max Larcheid posted six kills on nine attempts for a team-high .556 hitting percentage. Larcheid also blocked a team-high three for 7.5 points as well.
- Drew Blonski recorded 33 set assists, with two service aces, one block assist, and six digs to total 4.5 points.
- As a team, the Jaspers recorded seven aces, compared to George Mason's three.
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers head back north to face the No. 19-ranked team in the nation, the Highlanders of NJIT, on Saturday, February 21, for a 12 p.m. start inside the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness & Events Center. The contest can be viewed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.
Follow Manhattan Men's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@ManhattanMVBall).
