BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Loren Hernandez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico/American Military Academy) moves up to fifth in the record book for Single-Match Kills, hammering down 27 in the 3-2 victory over Saint Joseph's Brooklyn in Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon.

The Valiants (9-7, 3-0) remain untouched in conference play while the Bears (7-7, 2-2) even out its record.

Hernandez passes a previous set six-way tie for fifth place set by Jen Riordan with 25 against Hunter on Oct 23, 1987, and the most recent addition being Hernandez herself in the 2024 campaign against Kean on Sept 24.

SET ONE – SJBK

The first match set the standard for the back-and-forth day. SJBK got ahead first, 2-0, before Manhattanville answered back to take the lead, 3-2.

The scoreboard remained within three throughout the rest of the set before the Bears secured the first set win, 25-22, on a Kill followed by an Ace.

SET TWO – SJBK

The Valiants pushed out to a 5-2 lead to start the second match before the Bears rallied back to bring it within one. Manhattanville pulled out by four and held until SJBK fought to grab the lead 13-12.

Onward, it was a back-and-forth match until the home team stretched out the lead 23-19. Valiants rallied back to force it within one, 23-24, and the Bears came out from a timeout to pull out by two sets.

SET THREE – MANATTANVILLE

Manhattanville and Saint Joseph's Brooklyn started the third set with more even action until the away team pulled ahead 18-13 with eleven unanswered points after falling behind 7-13.

The two teams evened out at 20 and 22 before the Valiants pulled away for its first win of the day, 25-22.

SET FOUR – MANATTANVILLE

The Valiants started the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run, asserting their dominance and not allowing the Bears to get within two points for the start of the game.

After exchanging points, the score evened out at 20. The Valiants rallied with two Kills from Hernandez and a service ace before a kill from Emily Brown (Kaneohe, Hawaii/Damien Memorial) to force the fifth set.  

SET FIVE – MANATTANVILLE

The Vals started off the final set pulling out to 5-2.  The most extensive range of the set came multiple times, holding the home team off the lead by seven.

The Bears fought back to bring the final set within five (14-9) before a kill from Hernandez secured the Victory for the Valiants, keeping them undefeated in the Skyline.

Match Notes

• The Valiants control the all-time record against the Bears, 6-0, dating back to
• Both teams fired off 59 kills, 58 assists, and 5.0 Blocks today.
• Kayla Jennings (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Lakeland) delivered behind the line with five service aces.
• Alana Rivera Torres (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Marista de Guaynabo) continues to add to her assist stats, posting 44 in the match, surpassing her previous season high of 37 set versus St. Joseph's Long Island on Oct 8.
• Brown led the way in blocks today with 1.5, followed by Cassidy Fallon (Brewster, N.Y./Brewster) and Hernandez with 1.0 and Samantha Andriola (Garden City South, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) with .5.

Up Next – The Valiants return home to face USMMA (11-7, 5-0) on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 7 PM, as both teams fight to remain undefeated.