RIVERDALE, NY — After dropping the first two sets, Manhattan responded by winning the third set before ultimately dropping the match 3-1 vs. Saint Peter's on Sunday afternoon. The biggest what-if for the Jaspers was the second set, which saw the Peacocks rattled off five straight points to turn a 24-21 deficit into a 26-24 win.
The proceedings of set one were tight early, with Manhattan tying the score at nine following two straight points off a Maike Bertens kills and an attack error from Saint Peter's Maliyah LaBrie. However, the Peacocks shot back with six straight points and an extended 11-2 run which proved to be too much for the Jaspers' to overcome, as Saint Peter's closed the first set 25-17.
Manhattan came out in set two firing with three early kills from Fiona VanDyke, Bertens and Laila Glover. With the score 8-7 in the Jaspers' favor, Manhattan came through with four straight points, including another kill each from VanDyke and Glover. The momentum shifted with the Saint Peter's offense suddenly flipping a switch, resulting in four kills by LaBrie down the stretch. At 26-24, the Peacocks' second-set comeback was officially complete after a string of unforced errors from the Jaspers.
The Jaspers fought back in the set three thanks to a scorching start which was highlighted by Manhattan scoring seven of the first eight points and was led off by a kill from Abby Morreale. Saint Peter's came to within four at 14-10, but the Jaspers kept their foot on the gas and were able to stretch the lead to 19-13 following another kill from Morreale. Manhattan ended the set with five more kills including a string of three in a row earned by Katie Powers, Glover and VanDyke to clinch the 25-19 win.
Saint Peter's eventually closed set five by winning seven of the last 10 points to seize a 25-16 in the final set.
LaBrie led the Peacocks with 16 kills and 10 digs. For Manhattan, Bertens had a double-double of 11 kills and 13 digs, while VanDyke and Glover each led the Manhattan offense with 13 kills apiece. Lotto led the Jaspers in digs for the second straight game by finishing with 16.
Next Time Out
Manhattan will resume their homestand next weekend when they play host to Merrimack (8-19, 7-9 MAAC) on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Draddy Gym. The action will start at 1 PM and will be streamed live on the Jaspers Sports Network.
Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on Instagram and X, @jaspersvb.
