After trailing two sets to none and facing a straight set defeat, the Saint Peter's University volleyball team was able to capture a third set victory before falling in the fourth frame. The Peacocks dropped the first two sets by identical scores (25-19), before pulling out a thrilling 26-24 fourth set victory and losing 25-14 in the decisive fourth set.
With the loss, the Peacocks fall to 1-21, 0-8 MAAC, while Manhattan improves to 11-10, 6-4 MAAC.
Freshman Lauren Behrens led the charge with her seventh double-double of the year. The Illinois native recorded a career-high 21 kills and added 12 digs and 3 block assists. Junior outside hitter Laura Reinhart also finished with a double-double of 11 kills and 11 digs.
Jenny Pliska came up with 16 digs and 2 service aces, while Kristina Baehr dished out 40 assists and added 7 digs.
Manhattan was able to start off the first set with a 5-1 advantage, but the Peacocks quickly came back and tied the score at 5-5. The game remained within two points, until Saint Peter's managed to establish a slight three-point edge on two separate occasions (12-9, 14-11). The Jaspers responded and evened the score following consecutive service aces by Kelsey Huntoon. They would attain a two-point cushion at 16-14, which they maintained before a Peacock side out and a Manhattan hitting error knotted the score at 17-all. The score remained knotted, until the Jaspers closed out the match by way of a 4-0 run.
The second set started similarly to the first, with neither team getting ahead by more than two points. Manhattan soon turned up the intensity and gained a three-point advantage at 19-16. The visitors kept on going, and outscored Saint Peters 6-3 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Saint Peter's started off the third frame strong, jumping in front 9-6 to force the Jaspers to burn a timeout. The Peacocks maintained focus and came out of the intermission unfazed, scoring five straight points capped by a Lexandra Wirth service ace to put the hosts in front 14-6. The hosts led by as many as eight points (16-8) and held on to the advantage, but Manhattan slowly chipped away at the deficit. A string of four unforced Peacock errors in a matter of six plays brought the Jaspers within two points (23-21), forcing Head Coach Andrew Brown to call a timeout. Saint Peter's soon earned set-point (24-21) but the gritty Jaspers recorded three consecutive points to tie the score before the Peacocks won the frame 26-24.
The match seemed to be heading towards a fifth set, with Saint Peter's jumping in front 6-2 in the fourth frame. That would be the extent of the hosts' lead however, as they were outscored 23-9 in the remainder of the game. The Peacocks hit just .033 in the set, their lowest of all four stanzas, compared to the Jaspers' .579 hitting percentage.
Manhattan had three players with double-digit kills; Juliana Behrens (16), Sydney Volovski (12) and Malia McGuinness (11).
Saint Peter's returns to action Monday evening with a 5pm home match against Loyola.
