RIVERDALE, NY – The Manhattan Jaspers Women’s Volleyball team (3-18, 1-10 MAAC) won its conference contest over the Broncs of Rider University (9-13, 7-4 MAAC) in four sets (25-21, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23) inside Draddy Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED


Three unanswered from the Jaspers early in the first set, including a service ace from Emilia Kuzniar grabbed the home squad an early 8-6 advantage.
Emma Francesconi and Hanna Kaczynska registered aces of their own to extend the margin out to 15-11.
Rider came back strong late in the set, but a dual block from Fiona VanDyke and Abby Morreale put the icing on the cake for the Jaspers to capture the first.
The Broncs were the ones with the quick jump in the second, as a service ace of their own put the road squad up 14-9.
With that lead closing in at 20-13, six straight attack errors capped off by VanDyke’s solo block cut the deficit to only one.
Six of the final seven points went in favor of the Jaspers, with a VanDyke kill finalizing the commanding two set lead.
Both sides traded blows to start the third, as Manhattan tied the set at seven-all off multiple Bronc errors.
While the Green and White crept their way to within three, a service ace from Rider capped four unanswered to put them one point away from a set win. 
Staving off yet another Jasper run, one final kill from Molly Rohde gave the Broncs the set they needed to get back into the contest.
Manhattan got back to their earlier ways to start the fourth as two blocks highlighted an early 10-5 score.
Rider refused to go down without a fight, forcing six straight ties midway through the set ending at 17-all.
After both teams traded a stretch of two points, the Green and White called a timeout with a 21-19 advantage.
Going down 22-21 after a ball was hit out, Manhattan took control of four out of the final five points, with a triumphant dual block from Kaczynska and Katie Powers sealing the deal to send Draddy into a frenzy.

STATS AND NOTES


Sophomore outside hitter Fiona VanDyke led the way in both kills and aces, with 12 and four, respectively.
The Green and White took control of the block battle, winning 16-7 in that category.
Junior middle blocker Abby Morreale continued to dominate inside, clocking eight blocks.
The Jaspers hit at their best rate in the opening set, with a .417 clip.
Sophomore and Junior setters Hunter Kwan and Emilia Kuzniar spread the ball around the most, tallying 16 assists each.

QUOTES FROM THE JASPERS: 


Head Coach Mauro Miletic: “There’s no denying it’s been awhile since we got a MAAC win, so resetting that number today felt incredible. We’ve had a lot of close games this season where we just couldn’t push through and finish. Today, our team was finally able to play with confidence against a tough opponent who is in contention for the MAAC Championship. It was an overall team effort and accomplishment, and we’re looking to keeping this momentum Tuesday against Iona.”

NEXT UP
The Green and White will be back inside Draddy Gymnasium Tuesday, October 28, when the Jaspers take on the Gaels from Iona University to continue MAAC play. The match can be viewed on the Jasper Sports Network for a 7 p.m. opening serve.

Follow Manhattan Women’s Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).

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