PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's volleyball team got out to a quick start Wednesday night, Sept. 4, in its home-opening match at Kennedy Gymnasium. The Valiants bested Moravian College by 12 points in the first set, but the Greyhounds battled back and topped the hosting Crimson and White in a heart-pounding five-setter.
 
Manhattanville (2-2) entered the night fresh off two 3-0 victories over the weekend at the Babson Tournament, and played like it right off the bat. Thanks to a solid start and a -.167 hitting percentage for Moravian (3-2) in the first set, the Valiants quickly came away with the 25-13 win to go up 1-0 in the match.
 
Unfortunately, despite great hitting in the second set, the Greyhounds – thanks to a nice bit of serving from Gabby Mancini – evened the match at 1-1 following a 25-15 set two win. Moravian won the third set as well to take a 2-1 lead before the Valiants battled back to even it up at 2-2 with a 25-20 win in set four. The Greyhounds ended up on the victorious end of the stick with a 15-12 set five win.
 
There were several Valiants that performed well in the tough losing effort, but none better than sophomore Alejandra Figueroa (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Rosa-Bell). The College of New Rochelle transfer finished with a match-best 14 kills on 35 swings to hit .286 throughout. She also led all players with 21 digs for her first double-double of the season.
 
Rookie Felicity Hoffert (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) also had a good night and finished with nine kills and a pair of digs. Freshman setter Vianca Vital (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Perpetuo Socorro) had a great showing as well and led the team with 30 assists to go with nine digs, three aces and three kills. Another rookie, libero Geena Torres (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush), also added three aces to go with her 20 digs.
 
Other Highlights:

• Senior Austen Brauer (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y./Hastings) finished with eight kills and three digs.
• Sophomore Emma Dronzek (Yonkers, N.Y./Sacred Heart) came away with six kills, two digs and a solo block.
• Rookie Hanna Pena finished with three kills and a pair of blocks.
• Sophomore Emily Gonzalez (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) – another CNR transfer – finished with seven digs.
• Junior Rosie DeBellis (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Arlington) chipped in with five helpers, six digs and an ace.

The Valiants will return to the court this weekend for a tri-match at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. Manhattanville will first face the hosting Dutchwomen Saturday afternoon, Sept. 7, at 12:00 p.m., followed by a scheduled 2:00 p.m. match against Middlebury College.
 
Then, following a road match at former Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom foe Farleigh Dickinson University-Florham Wednesday night, Sept. 11, at 7:00 p.m. in Madison, N.J., the Valiants return home Thursday night, Sept. 12, and host the College of Saint Elizabeth at 7:00 p.m.