Box Score

Purchase, NY (Sept. 5, 2012) – The women's volleyball team opened the season tonight at home, falling to non-conference rival Manhattanville College, 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-14), despite a solid effort for the group of up-and-comers.

The Panthers (0-1), which feature a roster highlighted by underclassmen and no seniors, hung tough with the Valiants – their Anderson Hill Road foes – especially in the opening set, where Purchase and Manhattanville squared off in a back-and-forth matchup. The two tied at 7-7, featuring a nice volley. However, Manhattanville, perhaps starting to settle in after a few minutes, raced back to a commanding lead.

Panther head coach Bill Kutner took an early timeout in the first set, but the Valiants utilized a powerful serve to close out the opening frame, 25-11.  

Manhattanville (3-1) continued its strong player early in the second set, reeling off several points, but the Panthers showed their mettle in a possible preview of what's to come this fall, fighting back in the middle set. The volley continued with the Panthers staying within five throughout most of the frame, but the Valiants secured the win, 25-17, with another late push – the mark of a veteran team; the ability to close out the set.

The third and final set brought more of the same as the Panthers refused to go quietly. Purchase rallied yet again after falling behind. But the hosts couldn't manage to get any closer, dropping the third set 25-14.

Co-captains Jenna Nardi (SO/Yorktown Heights, NY) and Cathryn Mulvey (JR/Scarsdale, NY) played well in defeat. Rookies Jocelyn Almodovar (SO/Somers, NY), Megan Toole (FR/Hamburg, NY), Jade Hackett (FR/Mount Vernon, NY) and Maggie Brenenstuhl (FR/Schaghticoke, NY) also performed well in their first action this season.  

Mulvey led the way with four kills. Toole paced the Panthers with three service aces. And Hernandez and Nardi contributed seven and six digs, respectively.  

The Valiants were led by Susy Camaj, who netted seven kills in the win. Patricia Alfonso added six and Jillian Chittenden notched five. Camaj dominated the serve, recording nine service aces. Libero Alyssa Casino tallied eight digs in a nice defensive effort for the visitors. 

“We have a lot to work on, but I was impressed by certain things,” Kutner said afterward, noting the buzz around the team with the largest turnout in recent memory. “We'll go back to the drawing board and play better on Saturday.”

Purchase returns to Saturday at Sage when the Panthers open their conference schedule on the road. Match time is set for 1 p.m.