PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Manhattanville University women's volleyball was halted in game one of the Johnson & Wales Invitational, 3-0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-19), against Union College (1-0). The Valiants' 0-2 start to the season is the first consecutive opening losses since 2002.
Caylin Caballero (Eastvale, Calif./Walnut) led the offensive efforts, sending down 10 kills in critical plays for her team. Cassidy Fallon (Brewster, N.Y./Brewster) (six) and Aurea Obradors (Barcelona, Spain/Benjamin Franklin International School) (five) followed close behind offensively in kills while the pair added a block each.
Eva Becerra (West Covina, Calif./Walnut) recorded her first three service aces in a Valiants' uniform while also receiving seven digs alongside Alana Rivera Torres (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Marista de Guaynabo) and Caballero. Rivera Torres (14) and Samantha Andriola (Garden City South, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) (13) combined for 27 of the team's 28 assists in the three sets.
Kayla Jennings (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Lakeland) received 22 of the 53 digs in the match, leading her team and surpassing the season opener by one. Jennings found her way around the court, also recording an assist and a service ace.
SET ONE – UNION 25, MANHATTANVILLE 16
The Valiants fell behind in the opening rallies with the home team leaping ahead 7-2. A kill from Fallon ignited a slim run to bring back the consistent back-and-forth, with a service ace from Jennings getting the Valiants within one (12-11).
Union tallied on six unanswered to add cushion to the lead.
Another Fallon kill ended the scoring drought for Manhattanville as Union inched closer to the twenties. Obradors sent down a kill followed by an ace from Baudiette Lasanta before attacking errors gave the Valiants its final points of set one.
The Chargers took set one 25-16, sealing the final points with a pair of kills and a service ace.
SET TWO – UNION 26, MANHATTANVILLE 24
On opposite ends of the court, both teams entered set two with steady rallies evening out at three, seven, 17, and 21. Caballero continued to find her place on the court, rocketing a kill to put her squad within two points.
After the Valiants and Chargers traded kills, the home team took advantage of two service errors to reach set point, wrapping it up with a service ace.
SET THREE – UNION 25, MANHATTANVILLE 22
Manhattanville struck first in the third outing with back-to-back kills from Amelia Morrison (Avon, Conn./Avon) and Obradors for the earliest lead of the day. The steady pace set in the second set carried over as both teams traded scoring opportunities; the Valiants found a slim lead 9-7 with a block from Obradors and Fallon followed by two points with Eva Beccara in the back.
Kills from Fallon, Caballero, and Andriola allowed the away team to hold the edge over Union until five kills put the home team up 20-16.
Despite a valiant effort, the Chargers took the victory in its season opener.
Up Next – The Valiants head into day two of the Johnson & Wales Invitational, facing the host school at noon followed by Salve Regina at 2 PM.
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