Marist volleyball turned a slow start into a dominant finish, overcoming an opening-set loss to Manhattan before closing out the Jaspers in four sets (18-25, 30-28, 25-23, 25-10)
The Red Foxes entered the match looking to build on Friday’s straight-set win and remain unbeaten at home. Manhattan, meanwhile, arrived looking to snap a three-match losing streak after falling to Siena on Friday.
Sophomore setter Caelyn Dumas orchestrated the defense with 43 assists and added three service aces. Senior libero Cecilia Potter-Pessoa anchored the defense with 16 digs, while Reck led the offense with 14 kills.
Manhattan came out firing in the opening set, quickly establishing control and forcing Marist to play from behind. The Jaspers’ offense stayed consistent throughout, while the Red Foxes struggled to find the same success, hitting just .179 in the set. Manhattan eventually opened up a double-digit lead before taking the set 25-18.
Marist came out with a different energy in the second, finding more consistency on offense and battling through a back-and-forth set.
The Red Foxes nurtured an early lead before Manhattan fought its way back into the set. The teams continued to trade momentum, with neither side able to create much separation as the set progressed.
Manhattan appeared to have the advantage late, taking a 23-21 lead and putting Marist on the verge of falling into a two-set hole. Instead, the Red Foxes answered.
A kill from senior right-side hitter Trinity Woods helped Marist pull closer before Manhattan committed an attack error to bring the Red Foxes even. From there, the set turned into a battle of attrition, with both teams refusing to give in.
Marist finally broke through when sophomore outside hitter Mallory Reck laced a kill to give the Red Foxes the lead. Manhattan answered to extend the set, but Marist continued to withstand the pressure before closing out the 30-28 victory.
Marist carried that momentum into the third set, jumping out to an early lead and forcing the Jaspers to work from behind. The Red Foxes led 16-11 and looked poised to take control of the match.
But the Jaspers were not finished.
Manhattan cut the deficit to two, forcing Marist to protect its advantage rather than allowing the set to become a runaway. The Red Foxes maintained their composure and refused to surrender the lead.
A double-block from Woods and junior middle blocker Savannah Smith helped Marist hold off the push, and the Red Foxes eventually secured the 25-23 win to take a 2-1 advantage.
Now Marist had found its rhythm.
The Red Foxes opened with a 5-2 run and quickly turned the set into their most dominant stretch of the match. Marist continued to add pressure on both sides of the net and Manhattan could not find an answer.
Marist closed out the set 25-10, finishing the match with its strongest offensive performance of the afternoon. The Red Foxes hit .423 in the fourth frame and held the Jaspers to a -.034 mark.
The victory marked Marist’s third straight win and moved the Red Foxes to 4-1 in Metro play. It also kept Marist perfect at McCann Arena in three matches.
The Red Foxes return to action Friday at Merrimack College.
Edited by August Lieberman
Photo via Marist Athletics
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