Manhattan University Athletics

RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Behind 24 kills and 23 digs from Malia McGuinness (Kailua, Hawaii), the Manhattan College volleyball team (12-8, 5-3 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) picked up its fourth straight win on Sunday afternoon, defeating Canisius (3-13, 3-4 MAAC) 25-20, 25-22, 21-25, 25-20 at Draddy Gymnasium. 

The 24 kills, which equaled her career-high, were the most by a Manhattan player since Sydney Volovski (Oswego, Ill.) had 26 in a win over Iona exactly one year ago, and it was McGuinness' third 20-kill effort of the season.  McGuinness previously had 24 kills in a five-set win at Canisius on Oct. 2, 2011.

“That is unbelievable.  After the second set, she was on fire.  She just continued that and played great defense.  It was an amazing effort,” Head Coach Mark Jones said about McGuinness' performance.

Canisius took an early 6-3 lead in the first set before the Jaspers rallied for nine straight points to go up 12-6.  After a kill by Marissa Behrens (Honolulu, Hawaii) made it 18-10, the Griffs went on a 5-0 run to pull within three, 18-15.  However, Volovski responded with a kill to spark a 5-1 Manhattan spurt that extended the Jaspers' cushion to seven points at 23-16.  McGuinness slammed a kill to bring Manhattan to set point, and the Jaspers took the opening frame by a 25-20 count.

Manhattan raced out to a 3-1 advantage in the second set, but the Griffs countered with seven of the next eight points to take an 8-4 lead.  Canisius still led 12-8 when a McGuinness kill started an 11-3 Manhattan rally that put the Jaspers in front 19-15.  The Griffs got back within one at 22-21, but the Jaspers claimed the next two points to reach set point, and McGuinness put away the 25-22 win with her ninth kill of the set (and 16^th of the match).

In the third set, the Jaspers again stormed out to an early lead, going up 10-6 on a block by McGuinness and Clare Bozzo (Salinas, Calif.).  After a Volovski kill made it 15-12 Manhattan, Canisius went on a 5-1 run to take a 17-16 advantage.  Behrens responded with back-to-back kills that put the Jaspers back in front, and Jade Gray (Boise, Idaho) followed with a kill to extend the margin to two at 19-17.  However, Canisius ended the set on an 8-2 spurt, sealing a 25-21 win on consecutive service aces by Rachel Kline.

After the sides traded points early in the fourth set, a McGuinness kill broke a 9-9 tie and started a 5-1 rally that put the Jaspers up 14-10.  Canisius got back within 16-14 before Volovski slammed a kill to ignite a 5-1 run that pushed Manhattan's lead to six, 21-15.  A McGuinness kill brought the Jaspers to match point at 24-19, and her 24^th put away of the contest wrapped up the set, 25-20, and the 3-1 victory.

“We really established what we needed to do,” Jones said.  “We consistently passed the ball and served pretty tough at them.  I think that was the most important thing.”

Volovski finished with 12 kills, while Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.) also had a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs.  Bozzo, meanwhile, tallied a career-high nine kills on .571 hitting to go along with three blocks.  Gray contributed 54 assists and 12 digs, and Allie Yamashiro (Kapolei, Hawaii) registered 20 digs, as the Jaspers outdug the Griffs 79-75.  Manhattan hit .243 (66 kills, 23 errors, 177 attempts) as a team.

For Canisius, Kline led the way with 16 kills and 16 digs.  She also served three aces.  Jacklyn Malusa added 13 kills on .500 hitting to go along with three blocks.  Grace Streicher handed out 38 assists for the Griffs, while Emily Litwin recorded a match-high 30 digs.  As a team, Canisius hit .190 (47-17-158) in the match.