PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College volleyball team made their return to Kennedy Gymnasium on Tuesday night to begin Skyline Conference play, defeating SUNY Maritime in three sets. The win (25-10, 25-9, 25-8) improves the Valiants' 2021 record to 7-3.

The three-time Skyline Conference Libero of the Week Grace Ballagas (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Robinson School) did what she does best, leading the Valiants with 14 digs. Vianca Vital (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Perpetuo Socorro) also performed as she has been accustomed to all year long, leading Manhattanville with 18 assists. On the attack front, the Valiants had eight different player record kills. Sofia Morales (Tolland, Conn./Tolland) was the team-leader with eight putaways, while Vital added six and Alejandra Figueroa (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Rosa-Bell) chipped in with five of her own.

The Valiants were dominant on their serves throughout the entire match, logging a season-best 24 aces. Six different players were credited with an ace, with Emily Gonzalez (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) leading the Crimson and White with a season-high nine.

A 7-1 run in favor of the Valiants to open up the first set marked the tone for how the rest of the match would play out. Manhattanville only trailed Maritime on three occasions, while the Valiants made quick work to snuff out any sustained attacks by the Privateers. While the two teams battled back and forth to open up the second set to a 6-5 Manhattanville lead, the Valiants rattled off 10 straight points to firmly take advantage in the frame. Manhattanville would go on to open the decisive set with six straight points, putting the Privateers in a hole too big to climb out of.

Up Next
The Valiants look to improve on their perfect 4-0 home record on Thursday when they play host to Skyline opponent USMMA at 7:00 p.m.

VALIANTS on SOCIAL MEDIA For the latest on Manhattanville Athletics, follow the Valiants via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. #GoValiants #RollVals