PURCHASE, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) women's volleyball team opened Skyline Conference play on Wednesday evening, falling to Manhattanville University in straight sets, 25–14, 25–12, 25–21.
The Valiants established an early 8–2 advantage in the opening set before the Bears responded with three straight points, highlighted by a Michelle Piotrowski (Ridgewood, N.Y.) kill and a Carissa Zwiefelhofer (North Bend, Wash.) ace. The Valiants regained control with a 7–1 stretch to extend their lead to 18–8 before taking the opener, 25–14.
SJBK started the second set with consecutive points, including an Abigail Encinia (Sunnyvale, Texas) ace, but Manhattanville responded with a 5–0 run to build an 8–3 advantage. The Valiants later scored six unanswered points to extend their lead to 16–6 and eventually secured the set, 25–12.
The third set remained competitive, with St. Joseph's tying the score at eight and again at 12. Manhattanville eventually built an 18–14 lead, but the Bears pulled within 22–20 on an Encinia ace before the Valiants closed out the match, 25–21.
Karson Brooks (Portland, Ore.) led SJBK with four kills and 10 digs, while Piotrowski added three kills and seven digs. Zwiefelhofer also recorded three kills, while Encinia handed out six assists and served two aces. Keren Crespo (Meriden, Conn.) finished with eight digs as the Bears totaled six service aces.
The Bears continue Skyline Conference play on Sunday, October 11, facing Yeshiva University at 11 a.m. at The Hill Center, with the Maccabees serving as the designated home team.
