Riverdale, N.Y. ? It was a team effort as the Lady Jaspers took down Niagara University 3-1 today. Junior Jackie Kapovich led all Lady J's with 16 kills. Andrea Reiff and Sherryta Stokes both had double doubles in today's win.
In the first game, both teams came out strong as the game saw 10 ties in its duration. Neither team had more than a four point lead throughout the entire game, as both teams were battling for every point. Down 26-22 late in the game, the Lady Jaspers came back to score four consecutive points with the help of back-to-back service aces from Alyssa Getzel. The Lady J's fell behind 28-27, but they were not going to go quietly, as the team fought back to win the game, 31-29.
In the second game, Manhattan kept it close but was still down 16-12. This would be the closet the Lady J's would come, as Niagara cruised on to win the second game, 30-18 and tie the match up at one game apiece. The beginning of the third game, proved to be much like the first as both teams went back and forth. With the Lady Jaspers up 23-19, the Purple Eagles came back to tie it up at 25. The even match-up continued as both teams still found the score tied at 32. A kill by Rita Welsh put the Lady J's in position to take the game. Freshman Katie Kerbstat came through in the clutch as her service ace gave Manhattan the game, 34-32 and 2-1 in the match.
Coming off of that momentum, the Lady J's went up 14-11 in the fourth game. Once again, Niagara was not going to go without a fight as they came back to tie the game at 15. But Manhattan would let them get no closer as they flew by Niagara to beat them 30-25 in the game, and win the match 3-1. This is the Lady J's second big win over a heavily favored team.
Juniors Andrea Reiff and Sherryta Stokes both had impressive showings as Stokes tallied 10 kills and 17 digs alongside Reiff's 15 kill, 15 dig performance. Alyssa Getzel led all players with 53 assists to pace the Manhattan offense as senior Ashley Watson anchored the Lady J's defense with 19 digs.
The Lady Jaspers will close out their season tomorrow as they play their final home game against Canisius College. The game will start at 11:30 am in Draddy Gym.
