Riverdale, NY (October 22, 2004)- Maggie Pfeifer came within one kill of her career high, doing so in only three games, as Manhattan gained its first MAAC victory of the season with a 3-0 win over Loyola at Draddy Gymnasium. Game scores were 30-19, 30-25, 30-26. Lori Bambauer recorded her third double-double of the season with 42 assists and 11 digs to help pace the Lady Jaspers.
Pfeifer notched 10 kills without an attack error in the first game alone as Manhattan erased an early 3-0 Loyola lead, and stretched its lead throughout the stanza. After Loyola cut Manhattan's lead to 19-14, Manhattan reeled off a 9-3 run to take a 28-17 lead on a service ace from Ashley Watson. After a kill from Pfeifer and a Loyola attack error, Manhattan took the first game.
The second game was much closer, as it featured nine ties and four lead changes. Loyola held a 10-5 lead, but Manhattan would go on a 6-1 run to tie the game at 11. The lead went back and forth from there, but Loyola took a 23-21 advantage late in the game. At that point, Manhattan took charge, scoring seven straight points, highlighted by a service ace from Allison O'Neill to tie the score at 23. That run would sew up the second game for Manhattan.
The third game also had its share of ties (five) and lead changes (10). Pfeifer's eight kills during the final game keyed Manhattan's attack and prevented the match from going to a fourth game, which appeared possible when Loyola tied the game late. With the score tied at 24, Manhattan called timeout and took the lead after a kill from Pfeifer. Loyola would tie it again at 25, but the Lady Jaspers scored five of the next six points and wrapped up their first home win of the season.
Ashley Davis had 17 digs to lead Manhattan's defense, while Krystal Biegaj posted a double-double with 28 assists and 14 digs to lead Loyola, which sees its record fall to 5-15 and 0-3 in MAAC play.
Manhattan, which improves to 5-18 and 1-1 in the MAAC, will return to the court tomorrow, Saturday, October 23, when they will host Rider in another MAAC match at Draddy Gymnasium. Game time is 1:00 p.m.