Malibu, CA - (December 4, 2003) - Manhattan fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to the Pepperdine Wave in three straight games, with the scores of 15-30, 20-30, and 20-30. Senior tri-captain
Luka Van Cauteren led the way for the Lady Jaspers with her 23rd triple-double of the season, recording 11 kills, 12 assists and 11 digs.
In the first game, Pepperdine, jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, and held the lead for the remainder of the game. However, the Lady Jaspers went on a 6-2 run to pull within ten, but that was not enough as the Wave opened the gap, and eventually took the first game 30-15.
The second game, the Wave jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead but, the Lady Jaspers countered and tied the score at 3-3. Pepperdine then jumped ahead, but Manhattan came back with a run of their own, closing the score to just 4, 16-12. Manhattan kept it close for much of the game, until Pepperdine pulled away and captured the second game with the score of 30-20.
The Lady Jaspers in game three, took their first lead of the match at 3-2. Throughout the game Manhattan kept it close, holding within one at 9-8, and after the Wave went on a 9-1 run, the Lady Jaspers came back within five at 21-16. Pepperdine stopped the Lady Jaspers and took the game and the match with the score of 30-20. With the win, Pepperdine advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and will face Kansas who defeated Long Beach State 3-0, earlier in the day.
Senior tri-captain
Krista Thorsen recorded 8 kills, 11 digs with an outstanding .318 hitting percentage, and senior tri-captain
Jaime Pavel posted 12 digs, in the loss.
The Pepperdine Wave (26-2) capturing their 24th straight victory, were led by Katie Wilkins who posted 15 kills, 9 digs, with a .464 hitting percentage and Sophia Milo who recorded 10 kills, 8 total blocks and a .625 hitting percentage.
This season, the Lady Jaspers had a highly successful season, first capturing the MAAC regular season championship with a conference record of 8-1. Then taking two matches against Fairfield and St. Peter's to grab their second straight MAAC Tournament championship, giving them a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. The Lady Jaspers end their victorious season with a record of 21-14.
