ALBANY, NY – The Siena Volleyball team got their first win of the season on Thursday afternoon, as they would split their doubleheader with the Manhattan Jaspers at the Albany Capital Center in downtown Albany.
 
MATCH 1: Siena 3, Manhattan 2 (25-17, 27-29, 19-25, 25-20, 15-13)

Freshman Hailey Hinkel had a breakout performance with 15 kills and 29 digs, as both were a match high for Siena. Classmate Greta Stjade continued her great run of form with 14 kills and 25 digs. Freshman Alexa Withun and junior Maddy Dunigan also contributed heavily with 11 and 13 kills apiece. Manhattan's Bianca Vieira led the way for the Jaspers with a match high 16 kills along with 14 digs.
 
After going down two sets to one, Siena was able to make a strong comeback winning the 4th set 25-20. The Saints bested the Jaspers in kills 15 to 12 during the set, led by Stjade and senior Dakota Jackson both of whom enjoyed good late set performances. This back-and-forth set was epitomized by back-to-back 4-0 runs by each team. Siena however was able to close out strong and force a 5th set.
 
The Green and Gold was able to keep this momentum going into the fifth set where they would take the set 15-13. The difference in the set was a 5-0 run that was enough to separate them from the Jaspers. Siena once again looked to their youth in Hinkel and Stjade both of whom had 3 kills in the 5th alone which was enough to give the Saints a close win.
 
MATCH 2: Manhattan 3, Siena 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16)

The Jaspers came out firing early and often in the second match, as they took a 3-1 victory. Four Jaspers were in double-figure kills, as Vieira led the way with 15 kills and 13 digs for Manhattan. Riner led the defensive effort with 22 digs. For the Saints, Stjade had 12 kills and 21 digs en route to another double-double. Withun had a team-high 14 kills while Hinkel added 14 digs.
 
As both sides split the first two sets, Manhattan would open up a 15-8 lead in the third set. The Saints would chip away at the deficit, bringing things tied at 20-20 thanks to a Manhattan attack error. With a service ace from Hinkel to give Siena a 21-20 lead, the Jaspers ran off three straight points to take the 23-21 lead. While remaining close, Manhattan would keep the lead and win the set, going up 2-1. The Saints would run out of gas in the fourth, as Manhattan was able to score seven straight points to open the set, shutting the door with a 25-16 win.
 
The Saints return to action this Sunday, Mar. 21 when they head east to take on the Fairfield Stags on the road in a doubleheader starting at 12 PM.