news-engine

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Manhattan Jaspers Women's Volleyball team (0-2), despite winning the first two sets, was taken down in another edition of the "Battle of the Bronx" against the Rams from Fordham (2-1), in five sets (25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 12-25, 7-15) inside McGonigle Hall on Saturday evening. HOW IT HAPPENED - Abby Morreale started the night off right, registering a service ace for the opening point of the contest. - Manhattan bursted out on an 12-4 run early in the set, taking an 11-5 advantage capped off by a service ace from Emma Francesconi. - A dual block from Morreale and Hanna Kaczynka clocked the 21st point of the set to Fordham's 14, putting the Green and White in the driver's seat. - Katie Powers put a stamp on the first set, winning it with a kill for the Jaspers 25-18 - Despite the Rams taking a 4-3 initial edge in set number two, another early 7-1 stretch from Manhattan put them on top 10-5. - Ori Briger put up back-to-back service aces to increase the Green and White's lead to seven. - Once holding a six-point margin, Fordham climbed all the way back with an 8-2 run to tie the set at 21 apiece. - Securing four of the final five points in the second set were the Green and White, with Mikalah Curran recording the last two kills and taking a two-set advantage. - Repaying the favor to start the third set, Fordham clocked five of the first six points, later stretching the edge out to 14-7. - An exciting sequence of a service ace from Emilia Kuzniar and another dual block from Morreale and Kaczynska got the Green and White fired up to cut the lead within three. - Fordham took control the rest of the set, highlighted by an 8-2 stretch and winning with a final score of 25-16. - The fourth set started off even, with a service ace from Curran and kill from Brooke Johnson tying the score up at 5-5. - Kaczynska and Morreale found another dual block opportunity midway through the set, keeping the Jaspers within five. - The Rams took control for the rest of the set, taking it with ease 25-12. - A fifth and decisive set was needed to finalize this one, as a dual block from Johnson and Morreale tied it through 10 points. - Manhattan's final point came from Morreale who registered a kill to cut the lead at 8-7. - Fordham scored the final seven points of the match, winning the fifth set 15-7. STATS AND NOTES - Redshirt Junior outside hitter Mikalah Curran secured the highest number of kills amongst her teammates, with 10, the first double-digit outing by a Jasper in the young season. - Following close behind her were Sophomores outside hitters Emma Francesconi and right side Hanna Kaczynka, each finding eight of their own. - The Jaspers hit at their best rate in the opening set, with a .308 clip. - Senior middle blocker Abby Morreale contributed the most to the block party, with eight assisted, tying her career-high from October 25 of last year against Rider. - Junior and Senior setters Ori Briger (14) and Emilia Kuzniar (12) spread the ball around the most, accounting for 26 of Manhattan's 34 assists. NEXT UP The Green and White will return to the tri-state area in time for their next match on Wednesday, September 2, when the Jaspers take on NJIT from the Garden State. Action is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m., broadcasted live on America East TV. Follow Manhattan Women's Volleyball on X and Instagram (@JaspersVB).