Colonials Outlast Jaspers

Moon Township, PA - The Jaspers came up against a tough defensive opponent in Robert Morris Friday, falling to the Colonials in three sets, 25-15, 25-19, 25-17. Manhattan is now 0-1 after the team's first match of the season, while Robert Morris moves to 1-0 on the year. 

Highlights:

• Erin Hoener (St. Louis, MO / Incarnate Word) and Julia Menocal (Bronx, NY / Preston) combined for 10 kills on the Jasper attack, each finishing with five. Freshmen Lizzi Brown (Orlando FL / Bishop Moore) and Kelly Markowski (Winter Park, FL / Lake Highland Preparatory), both making starts in their first collegiate matches, added four kills apiece.
• The Jaspers' top blocker last season, Hoener contributed four blocks against the Colonials, while Menocal added three. 
• Starting in the setting position for the Jaspers, Abby Wilde (Parkesberg, PA / Octorora) tallied 17 assists on 21 total team kills.
• Nashally Eleutiza (Orlando, FL / Monroe College) led Manhattan with 13 digs in her Jasper debut, followed closely by another double-digit performance from fellow junior transfer Katelynn Riner (Kennesaw, GA / Georgia Southern), who had 10.
• Despite losing in three, Manhattan kept each set competitive throughout, in particular the second, where the Jaspers pulled within four at 20-16 behind straight kills from Menocal and Meagan Miller (Oakville, ON / Oakville Trafalgar).
• Robert Morris boasted three players with eight kills apiece, helping the Colonials to a 40-21 advantage in that stat column. 
• RMU put together 12 total blocks Friday, holding the Jaspers to a .000 hitting percentage for the day.
• The Colonials' Maria Alfano finished the match with eight kills and eight blocks. 

Up Next:
Manhattan will play both McNeese State (11:00 a.m.) and Elon (2:30 p.m.) on Saturday, August 31 as the Jaspers close out the three-game RMU Sheraton Invitational.