RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers' Men's Volleyball program (8-14, 5-4 NEC) put forth a valiant effort against the Red Flash of Saint Francis (PA) University (12-10, 6-1 NEC) but fell in straight sets (20-25, 18-25, 18-25) inside Draddy Gymnasium on Friday evening.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Jaspers opened the night with Max Larcheid continuing his hot play with the opening Manhattan point in response to the Red Flash's first point.
- Unable to capture much rhythm, the Green and White continued to maintain their six-point deficit for much of the opening set, before going on a four-point run to shrink their margin back to just two, courtesy of Kai Patchell and Drew Blonski's marquee serving from the line.
- That didn't faze the Red Flash, as they were able to shake off any threat the Jaspers may have posed down the stretch to take the first set by five.
- Trailing by as much as seven, the Jaspers possessed a strong net front presence to propel them to post five of the next six and bring their deficit back to just three, courtesy of back-to-back Kasen Owen service aces, and Jovan Marjanovic's height in the middle.
- Manhattan used another run of four of the next five to pull within two, at 20-18, but the Red Flash pulled off five straight to take back-to-back sets.
- Tied at six in the third set, Larcheid and Wojtek Nowak continued to prove their valuable length on the scoresheet with a tying block assist to advance by two.
- A late run by the Red Flash changed the trajectory for the Jaspers, but key mistakes by the Green and White cost them a chance to force a third set.
STATS AND NOTES
- Kasen Owens paced the Jaspers with six kills on 21 attempts, with one block solo, three aces, and five digs for an even 10 points.
- Wojtek Nowak logged nine kills on 18 attempts, with one set assist, one block, and a team high six digs for 9.5 points.
- Kai Patchell posted six kills on 25 attempts, one set assist, and three digs for six points.
- Freshman setter Drew Blonski registered 27 set assists, alongside three kills on as many attempts, with two service aces, and two digs for five points.
NEXT UP:
The Jaspers put a bow on their inaugural home schedule by concluding the series against the Red Flash of Saint Francis University tomorrow, Saturday, April 4, beginning at 4 p.m. inside Draddy Gymnasium. The match can be viewed for free on NECFrontRow.com.
Follow Manhattan Men's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@ManhattanMVBall).
