RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers' Men's Volleyball program (8-11, 5-1 NEC) took down the Saints of D'Youville University (2-17, 0-6 NEC) in straight sets (25-12, 25-17, 25-16) inside Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Jaspers commanded the opening minutes with six straight points, off three defensive miscues from the opposition.
- With the Green and White posting a pair of miscues back-to-back, after doubling up the Saints, 10-5, D'Youville was able to get a pair back, before Manhattan, led by Max Larcheid, put together four of the next five in its favor.
- Manhattan took a six-point lead at 18-12 before cruising to a first-set victory with its first seven-point run, behind four kills and three Saints' errors.
- In the second set, both teams came out swinging, with both teams recording at least one set of back-to-back points for the first 11 points.
- Then, the Green and White, backed by Kai Patchell, put together five of the next six to give his team a 14-9 advantage.
- Down the stretch of the second set, the Saints were poised to keep things within arm's reach, but the Jaspers denied any momentum to be built and supplied six of the final seven points to cruise to a win in the first two sets.
- The Jaspers continued their mission to earn six straight set victories off the backs of Blake Perkins and Max Larcheid.
- Joining the Jasper party was Colin Carroll, who added a kill, before Sam Morreale added his first kill for the team's 22nd point of the night, before ending off the Saints off five of the final six going in their favor.
STATS AND NOTES
- Freshman opposite Blake Perkins paced the Green and White with 11 kills on 17 attempts for a .588 hitting percentage, while logging one service ace, two blocks, and one dig for a match high 13 points.
- Freshman middle blocker Max Larcheid logged eight kills on nine attempts for a match-high .889 hitting clip, with a match-high four aces, and four digs to total 12 points.
- Freshman opposite Kai Patchell recorded six kills on 11 attempts, with one set assist, three block assists, and three digs for 7.5 points.
- Junior outside hitter Wojtek Nowak registered five kills on 10 attempts, with two service aces, and four digs for seven points.
- Sophomore outside hitter Kasen Owens continued his hot play with five kills on 13 attempts, with five set assists, one block, and three digs for 5.5 points.
- Freshman setter Drew Blonski posted 29 set assists, with two service aces, one block assist, and three digs for 3.5 combined points.
- The Jaspers led in every major category for the second night in a row, posting 52.5 points, 40 team kills, nine aces, 39 set assists, and 27 digs. The Green and White and the Saints each posted three blocks.
QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS
Head Coach Chris Schortgen: "Tonight's performance was more aligned with our vision of our program. The team improved our efficiency across every statistical category and created the separation we are working towards. Blake Perkins had a great showing and was the spark we needed to close out the weekend."
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers return to action next Friday, March 27, when the Green and White play host to the Sharks of LIU inside Draddy Gymnasium, beginning at 7 p.m. The contest marks the program's inaugural Senior Night, honoring Utpal Chand. The match can be viewed for free on NECFrontRow.com.
Follow Manhattan Men's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@ManhattanMVBall).
