Riverdale, NY - Manhattan volleyball fell to Cal State Fullerton in three sets Thursday, going 25-11, 25-20, and 25-21 in the Jaspers' home opener at Draddy Gymnasium. The Jaspers drop to 0-4 on the season, while the Titans improve to 3-1 overall.
Notes:
- Freshman Vivian Donovan (Newport Beach, CA / Newport Harbor) led Manhattan with eight kills in the match. She also earned a team-high five digs, tied with two other Jaspers: Jade Jeffrey (Tamarac, FL / Cardinal Gibbons) and Alyssa Rehrer (Lorton, VA / South County).
- Freshman setter Shruti Mangipudi (San Ramon, CA / Dougherty Valley) led Manhattan in assists (15), playing the primary setter position throughout the match.
- Despite a .607 team hitting percentage earned by the Titans in the second set, the Jaspers made a strong stand, tying the set at 15 on a kill from Donovan, who earned half of her kills in the second.
- Donovan was joined on the attack by sophomore middle blocker Erin Hoener (St. Louis, MO / Incarnate Word), who went 3-4 in the set. Mangipudi also earned eight assists in the second.
- Down 6-1 to start the third set, the Jaspers staged a comeback, getting crucial kills from Menocal and senior Casey Monroe (Riverview, FL / Riverview) to get within a point at 7-6.
- Midway through the third, the Jaspers took the lead 16-15, when a block by Mangipudi and Meagan Miller (Oakville, ON / Oakville Trafalgar) led to a Titans error.
- Cal State Fullerton ended the Jasper momentum in the third with a 7-5 run to take the victory.
The Jaspers travel to Lafayette Friday to start the Crosstown Tournament in Easton, PA at 4:00 pm. They'll complete the weekend road trip on Saturday in Bethlehem, PA, playing Lehigh at 10:00 AM and Coppin State at 1:00 pm.
Manhattan's next home match will take place September 15 against Iona at 1:00 pm in Draddy.
