PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville University women's volleyball team saw its nine-match win streak come to an end on Wednesday night as the Valiants fell to visiting Union in four sets in the non-conference tilt. The Valiants fall to 15-9 with the loss.

Sofia Morales (Tolland, Conn./Tolland) had a career night in the defeat, setting a new personal best with 16 kills. It was the second time this year that the graduate middle reached double figures in the offensive category after previously logging 13 putaways against Farmingdale on Oct. 17. Morales was complimented by Ayla Ruiz (Honolulu, Hawaii/St. Andrew's Schools), with the senior logging 11 kills alongside 12 digs for her fourth double-double of the campaign. Meghan Wildes (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) finished as the team's other top attacker with seven kills.

Grace Ballagas (Carolina, Puerto Rico/Robinson School) eclipsed 400 digs for a third consecutive season, with her 26 digs bringing her season total up to 421. The senior libero led the Valiants defensively while adding four aces and seven assists. Kayla Jennings (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Lakeland) matched Ballagas' ace total on the night as the duo led the team. Alana Rivera (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Marista de Guaynabo) finished second on the team in digs with 19, while her match-high 23 assists was good for her seventh double-double of her sophomore campaign.

Emily Brown (Kaneohe, Hawaii/Damien Memorial) led the team's net front presence, earning three blocks to go with her four kills, two digs and lone assist. It was her highest block total since Sept. 28 when she recorded four against John Jay.

The opening set saw six different tied scores. The Garnet Chargers struck first with a 4-1 lead before the Valiants logged kills from Ruiz, Morales and Lea McIntyre (Lansingburgh, N.Y./Lansingburgh) tied things up. This would be the case for a majority of the set, as Union would take a lead before the Valiants fought back even. Trailing 17-15, the Valiants once again made their way back with kills from Brown and Morales with a Ruiz ace to take an 18-17 lead, Manhattanville's first lead of the entire set. It would only hold for a moment, as a service error made the score even once again and more importantly, gave Union control of the serve. It was the opening the Chargers needed, scoring seven straight points to claim the opening set 25-18.

Manhattanville hit a match-high .205 to take the second set, logging 14 kills. The Vals jumped out to a 3-0 start and continued to lead for a majority of the frame. After Union cut back to within one, the Vals went on a 5-0 run to go up 14-8. What looked to be some decent breathing room was quickly done away with as Union score nine of the next 10 points for the visitors' first lead of the frame. Manhattanville rolled with the punch and responded with a five-piece of their own to go back in front 20-17. The Valinats protected the lead the rest of the way, capturing the win as Wildes earned an ace on her first career serve, 25-20.

The high of the second set could not be replicated by the Valiants, with the home side hitting under .100 over what would be the final two frames. Union swung .367 in the third set ahead of a .235 clip in the fourth. As was the tale of the opener, the two sides went toe-to-toe in the third before an 8-0 Union run broke a 14-14 tie and put the Chargers in the driver's seat to claim the 25-18 win. Manhattanville went on to erase a 5-1 deficit to open set four, but Union's eight unanswered points put the visitors firmly in front 13-6, ultimately claiming the 25-15 victory.

Up Next
The Valiants celebrate Senior Day on Friday night in their regular-season home finale against Old Westbury at 6 p.m.

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