PURCHASE, N.Y. -- The Manhattanville College women's volleyball team hosted Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom rival Misericordia University at Kennedy Gymnasium Tuesday night, Oct. 2. The Valiants pushed the Cougars to four tough sets, but fell 3-1 (25-23, 24-26, 25-23, 25-18).

The match was tight throughout, as the Cougars (13-8, 3-1 MACF) had to go the distance to top the Valiants (7-6, 1-3 MACF) in the first set. Misericordia held the upper hand for much of the set, leading by as much as five at 21-16. Manhattanville would settle in and proceeded to go on a 7-2 run and knot it up at 23-23, including two kills from junior hitter Austen Brauer (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hastings), before the road team came away with the 25-23 set.

The Valiants fired back and won a tight second set that went past 25 points for Manhattanville and things were once again even. The home squad started fast, jumping out to a 5-1 lead, but Misericordia was able to even it up at 5-5 and force a Valiant timeout. The teams traded momentum for a bit until the score was tied 18-18. Manhattanville won six of the next seven points to take the 24-19 lead. The Cougars were not done though as they roared back to make it 24-23 and force another Valiant timeout -- they took the first point out of the break as well, forcing a 24-24 tie. Manhattanville was able to take the next two points and evened the match at 1-1.

Things in the third were similar to the first as Misericordia once again won 25-23 over the Valiants, but Manhattanville battled the whole way. After falling behind quickly 6-2 and again at 16-12, the Valiants were able to take a 23-21 lead and looked to gain the advantage heading into the fourth. Unfortunately, Misericordia picked up the momentum and won the final four points of the set to take the match lead. The Cougars controlled most of the fourth set to take it by seven, and the match in four.

Brauer finished with 13 kills and couple of blocks, while senior hitter Laura LiVolsi (Washingtonville, NY/Washingtonville) led the Valiants with 16 kills on 34 swings and notched another double-double with 11 digs. She also added three blocks and three service aces. Rookie setter Sarah Camarena (Los Angeles, Calif./Sacred Heart (H.S.)) dished out 22 helpers and sophomore libero Monica Lopez (Caguas, Puerto Rico/Notre Dame) finished with a match-best 23 digs and five aces.

Manhattanville is back in action Friday night, Oct. 5, on the road in Montclair, N.J., to face non-conference opponent Montclair State University. First-serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.