Teaneck, N.J. (October 8, 2005)--Manhattan Volleyball stifled a Rider University comeback effort, as the Lady Jaspers outlasted the Broncs in five games (30-26, 30-16, 30-32, 25-30, 15-11) on Saturday afternoon at the Valley National Bank Knights Classic in Teaneck, N.J.
Senior outside hitter
Megan O'Dorisio (San Diego, Calif./Univ. of San Diego HS) continues to post impressive numbers in the kill and dig columns, as the California native recorded 26 kills and 16 digs for her seventh double-double in the last nine matches.
Matching O'Dorisio's dig total was Lady Jasper sophomore outside hitter
Ashley Watson, who dug up 24 attack attempts last night in the tournament opener against host Fairleigh Dickinson University. Senior setter
Lori Bambauer (New Knoxville, Ohio/New Knoxville/Clark State) posted a season-high 15 digs, while senior libero
Ashley Davis (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) added 13 to give the Lady J's four players with double-digit digs for the second straight match.
After taking a commanding two games to none lead in the match, which is a preview of the MAAC contest the two schools will play on October 21 in Lawrenceville, N.J., the Lady Jaspers dropped the ensuing two frames to Rider, forcing a fifth and deciding game. Rider's hopes of a comeback evaporated as the Lady Jaspers' attack proved to be too overwhelming in game five.
At the forefront of the Manhattan attack was the always-steady senior middle hitter
Maggie Pfeifer. Pfeifer, who is the reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week, followed up last night's 20-kill performance by notching 16 kills to go with an impressive match-best .500 hitting percentage over the MAAC rival Broncs.
For the second straight match, Manhattan head coach Ray Green used a two-setter tandem comprised of Bambauer and freshman
Alyssa Getzel (Richmond, Va./James River). Bambauer led both teams by dishing out 33 assists, while Getzel added 16.
Rider's Stefanie Lombardo posted a double-double
for the Broncs with 17 kills and 18 digs. Recording a match-high 21 digs was Lacey Johnson of Rider.
The Lady Jaspers wrap up play at the FDU Knights Classic at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, as they square off against Wagner College for the second time this season. The Lady J's took the first meeting by edging the Seahawks in five games in Staten Island, N.Y.
