Oct. 15, 2011
Final Stats
If the Siena volleyball team hopes to reach the MAAC Tournament for the seventh straight season, the team will need to win the vast majority of its remaining league games. The Saints started the uphill climb Saturday with a four-set upset of Manhattan on the road (14-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-23).
It marked the first home loss of the season for the Jaspers (11-9/4-6 MAAC), and just the second road victory of the year for the Saints (5-12/3-6).
Saturday's victory was made more surprising by the fact that Siena had to rally after being dominated in the first set 25-14. The Saints dug in, posting a decisive 25-16 win in the second set, and then won the third and fourth sets by identical 25-23 tallies.
It was one of the few times this season, that Siena finished off its opponent, by pulling out a close match late. In the fourth set, Siena trailed 19-14, before using a 10-1 run behind the service of Taylor Akana to close out the match.
Manhattan led 14-6 in the third set, but Siena stormed back to tie things at 16-16, before edging free for the two-point win.
The Saints were balanced on offense, a trait that has been missing much of the year. Setter Sarah Sivertson racked up 40 assists and 10 digs, dispersing the ball evenly among her front row options.
Colleen Ahearn was the offensive star, killing 14 of her 29 attacks, while Taylor Akana and Rachel Stoklosa combined for 24 kills on the outside. The Saints also played without starting middle blocker Jacquiline Skeen.
Lesli Akeo led the Saints' defense with a match-high 20 digs.
Malia McGuniess led Manhattan with 17 kills and 18 digs. Mariana Furquim chipped in 16 kills for the Jaspers, who lost at home for the first time this season.
The odds are stacked against Siena after a tough start to the MAAC season, but it's not impossible. The Saints travel to last place, and winless, Saint Peter's Sunday, before hosting ninth place Loyola and seventh place Rider next weekend. Wins in those three games would even Siena's record with six league contests to play, and set up a critical contest with archrival Marist October 29 in Poughkeepsie.
