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).

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