PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's volleyball team remains unbeaten in its last nine matches following its seventh 3-0 victory over that stretch – and third straight. The Valiants topped Clarks Summit University 25-21, 25-21, 25-13 in the friendly confines of Kennedy Gymnasium.
Things started slowly for Manhattanville (11-4), as the Lady Defenders (4-15) jumped out at a 12-5 lead, their largest of the match, but thankfully the Valiants went on a 14-3 run and took a 19-15 lead. A key play during that stretch came from rookie libero
Geena Torres (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush). The freshman helped keep a long rally alive with a huge dig that ultimately led to the Valiants maintaining momentum, as well as that four-point first-set lead to go ahead 1-0 in the match.
The second set had the same final score, but was much closer throughout. Early on in the set, with the two foes battling back and forth, rookie right-side hitter
Felicity Hoffert (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) kept the Valiants in it with a monster kill to tie it at 5-5. Senior outside hitter
Austen Brauer (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hastings), who had a very strong match, notched a huge kill of her own to tie it 13-13 and halt Defender momentum following a brief 4-0 run for the road team. Neither squad took too large a lead and Clarks Summit was actually ahead 22-21 following a couple aces. A kill and a pair of road errors helped Manhattanville come out on top and go ahead 2-0.
The decisive third set was never in doubt for the Crimson and White as they came away with the 12-point win and the match. Leading the Valiants throughout was the aforementioned Brauer, who posted match-bests in kills (16) and aces (career-high five). The 5-foot-9 hitter has been very efficient lately, posting a hitting percentage over .319 in five of her last nine matches and she continued that trend today. Brauer hit .667 on 24 swings with no errors and added four digs and an assisted block.
Other offensive contributors were sophomore outside hitter
Alejandra Figueroa (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Rosa-Bell), who finished with eight kills, and Hoffert, who notched seven kills in 14 swings to go with two aces, six digs and a pair of assisted blocks. Freshman setter
Vianca Vital (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Perpetuo Socorro) led all players with 28 assists and 16 digs to go with an ace and an efficient six kills on 11 swings (.545) with no attacking errors – it's her 10th double-double of the season.
The squad will return to action this Tuesday night, Oct. 1, for a road Skyline Conference match in Old Westbury, N.Y. The Valiants will square off with The College at Old Westbury in a 6:00 p.m. contest. Manhattanville leads the Panthers 7-2 all-time.
