HALEDON, N.J. – Utilizing a well-rounded team attack, the Manhattanville College women's volleyball team began the second week of their season with a 3-0 sweep of William Paterson on Thursday evening. The victory (25-19, 25-11, 25-13) improves Manhattanville's start on the year to 3-1, with all three Valiant victories coming via sweeps.

While Manhattanville only needed a season-low 39 kills to earn the win, seemingly everyone on the court was involved in the offensive game plan. The Valiants had 10 different players record a kill in the contest. Felicity Hoffert (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown East) ended the night as the team's leader in putaways with nine in the contest. Alejandra Figueroa (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Rosa-Bell), who currently leads the Valiants in kills on the season with 45, collected seven in the victory, a total matched by Loren Hernandez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico/American Military Academy). The seven kills by the rookie Hernandez marks a new season-high.

Coming off her Skyline Conference Player of the Week recognition, Vianca Vital (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Perpetuo Socorro) was once again heavily featured with her fourth double-double in as many matches to begin the year. The senior earned 31 assists and 11 digs, both of which were team-highs on the night. Grace Ballagas (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Robinson School) matched her countrymate with 11 digs of her own, bringing her total on the year to a team-leading 57.

The Valiants were in control from the get-go, opening up the first set on a 6-0 run. Manhattanville would lead by as many as 10 with a 20-10 lead, but the Pioneers did not go away easily. William Paterson chipped away as Manhattanville was unable to build a run, with the home team pulling to within four at 23-19. Figueroa would earn the serve back for the Valiants with a kill before a William Paterson attack error gave Manhattanville the win in the opening set.

Manhattanville built another early lead in the second, as a four point run capped off a 12-3 advantage. The Pioneers were unable to mount a similar response to the one they had in the first, with the Valiants surrendering just two points off of William Paterson serves in the frame. With control of the serve for most of the set, the Valiants were able to roll to the 25-11 win to go up 2-0.

While the Pioneers struck first with the opening serve in set three, runs of three, seven and five allowed the Valiants to jump out to a 16-4 advantage in what would be the final frame. With plenty of breathing room to work with, Manhattanville methodically built out the lead en route to claiming the match with a 25-13 decision.

Manhattanville had six service aces in the contest, led by two from Figueroa. Hoffert, Hernandez, Sofia Morales (Tolland, Conn./Tolland) and Meghan Wildes (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) each ended the night with a block assist.

Up Next
It will be an early start the next time the Valiants take to the court on Saturday. Manhattanville takes on Drew University at 9 a.m. to begin the weekend.

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