Riverdale, N.Y. (August 26, 2006)-Manhattan Volleyball struggled through its opening weekend at the third annual Jasper Volleyball Invitational as the Lady Jaspers fell to both the University of Rhode Island and Long Island University in three games. Stony Brook University, who defeated the Lady Jaspers yesterday, went a perfect 3-0 to claim the tournament title.
In Manhattan's first match of the day, the Lady Jaspers fell to URI by scores of 30-25, 30-23, and 30-18. The Lady J's were unable to generate an effective attack. Senior co-captain
Whitney Judkins, who represented Manhattan on the All-Tournament Team, was the only player on her side to hit over .200; she finished the match with seven kills and a .333 hitting percentage. Sophomore
Sherryta Stokes also tallied seven kills and a team-high 12 digs, but hit only .158.
Rhode Island outside hitter Rachel Bello registered a match-high 12 kills and successfully blocked three attacks. Rhody's Inga Schlect hit an even .500 en route to posting a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs.
The Lady Jaspers experienced more of the same in the tournament finale as LIU downed the Lady J's by scores of 30-21, 30-23, and 30-25. Once again Manhattan failed to convert on many of its attack attempts, posting a .028 hitting percentage in the loss. Junior
Ashley Watson managed nine kills and a match-high 15 digs for the Lady J's, who had trouble stopping LIU's Martina Wagner. Wagner, who was an All-Tournament selection, notched 18 kills, connecting at a .382 attack rate, and also dug 11 balls.
The Lady Jaspers will look to break into the win column when the young season resumes on Wednesday, August 30 at Draddy Gym with Big Sky Conference member Eastern Washington University visiting Riverdale.
