LOUDONVILLE, NY – The Siena Saints volleyball season came to a close at the Alumni Recreation Center on Sunday afternoon, as they were defeated in a barnburner by the Manhattan Jaspers by a final score of 3-2.
 
"True to their nature this team battled today up until the final point," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "It was great to see the seniors have such a big contribution in their final match as Saints. It's always tough to end the season with a loss but the future is bright for Siena Volleyball."
 
The Green and Gold's senior class of Kelly Chaney and Justine Torre each collected a season-high seven kills apiece, while Jessica Eblin tossed out 16 assists. Junior Dakota Jackson led the way with 11 kills, and Maddy Dunigan added nine kills. Freshman Gracie Halley put up 17 digs, and classmate Maria Llinas added 27 assists.
 
Manhattan was led by a pair of solid offensive performances from Erin Hoener and Vivian Donovan. Hoener put up a huge match with 19 kills, while Donovan tossed in 16 kills. Donovan also collected 12 digs to complete a double-double. Libero Nashally Eleutiza recorded 29 digs on the match. Meagan Miller had her hand on six blocks.
 
Siena took control of the first set early, as the senior class were major contributions. After a key kill from Dunigan to take a 7-6 lead, the Saints opened up a 20-9 lead. Siena was able to lock down and take the 25-15 win to take the 1-0 lead.
 
Manhattan came back in the second set, as Siena held a 15-12 lead. The Jaspers scored three points in a rowto tie things up, and were able to outscore the Saints down the stretch in each set to go up 2-1 heading into the fourth.
 
The Saints battled back in the fourth set, needing a win to force a fifth set. A key trio of points mid-set turned a one-point Manhattan lead into a two point Siena lead at 16-14. Both sides then traded the lead, eventually pulling to a 22-22 tie after a block by Manhattan on a Dunigan attack. However, two Jasper miscues would bring Siena to set point at 24-22, and a clinching ace from Halley forced a set five.
 
In the fifth set, Manhattan had the edge midway through, holding an 11-8 lead. Both sides ate up timeouts, as Siena scored in four of the next five rallies to pull even at 12-12. Hoener and Abby Wilde then proceeded to notch kills for the Jaspers, putting them in match point. Ally-Reese Williams would delay the end by a point, as she smacked a kill to make it 14-13. But, a service error by Siena would end the match, giving Manhattan the 15-13 win.