Lawrenceville, N.J. (September 22, 2007)- Sherryta Stokes tallied a game-high 20 kills and the Lady Jasper defense combined for 14 blocks as Manhattan posted a 3-1 MAAC win over Rider University this afternoon at Alumni Gym.
The first game was a nip and tuck affair, with neither team holding more than a two point lead until the Broncs ran off six straight points, including four consecutive service aces from Amanda Piccolini, to take a 14-10 lead. The Lady Jaspers rallied to knot the score at 14-14, and the score was knotted at 17-17 before the Broncs used a 10-3 run to open up a 27-20 lead. Manhattan responded with a 12-2 run to end the game, with Alyssa Getzel tallying two service aces, and Jackie Kapovich, Rita Welsh, and Andrea Reiff combining for four blocks to give the Lady Jaspers a 31-29 win. Welsh and Reiff each recorded a solo block and combined on another in a stretch that saw Manhattan turn a 29-28 deficit into a 30-29 lead.
The Broncs won the second game, 30-27, holding off a late Lady Jasper comeback. Rider led 26-20 before Manhattan clawed back to within one, 28-27, but could draw no closer.
Game three saw the Lady Jaspers jump out to a quick 5-1 lead, and never let the lead drop under three points in a 30-22 win.
In the deciding game, Manhattan led by as many as five, 11-6, before Rider gradually got itself back in the match, eventually tying the game at 20-20 before taking its first lead since 1-0 one point later. The game intensified from their, with the teams trading points until, with the score tied at 27-27, the Lady Jaspers scored the final three points of the game to win game four, 30-27, and the match, 3-1.
Stokes hit at a .391 clip while chipping in with 11 digs. Diane Strutner added 12 kills and 11 digs, Alyssa Getzel tallied a game-high 40 assists and four service aces, and Ashley Watson recorded a game-high 23 digs.
Manhattan gets back in action on Sunday, September 23, hosting Saint Peter's College in a MAAC match at Draddy Gym. The match is slated to begin at 2:00 p.m.
