Volleyball Comes Back to Beat Manhattan, 3-2

Box Score (.html) 

RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Seton Hall volleyball team came back from a two game deficit to defeat Manhattan, 3-2 (29-31, 30-32, 30-24, 30-23, 15-13), to win the Jasper Invitational. Junior setter Brittany Rahrer (Fort Wayne, Ind.) capped the weekend with a 50 assist performance and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

The Jaspers narrowly defeated the Pirates in the first two games and were looking for the sweep, but the Pirates maintained a slim two point advantage most of the way. Seton Hall extended the lead to 26-22 after a rare kill by Rahrer, keeping the Pirates alive as they took the frame, 30-24.

Seton Hall took early control of game four, doubling up Manhattan 10-5 in the early stages, but an 8-1 run by the Jaspers put them on top 15-13, but not for long. The Pirates benefited from two straight Manhattan errors to regain the lead for good, as Seton Hall tied the match at two games apiece.

Game five began as another back-and-forth battle, but once again the Pirates capitalized on the Jasper mistakes. Three straight errors and a kill by sophomore Melissa Bellomy (Arlington, Texas) put Seton Hall ahead 11-7. Manhattan came back to tie the game at 12-12, but the Pirates scored two straight and sophomore Allie Matters (North Tonowanda, N.Y.) completed the come-from-behind victory with a kill.

Seton Hall had four players in double figures, led by freshman Sarah Osmun (Crystal Lake, Ill.) who racked up 15 kills, along with 12 digs. Matters finished up with 12 kills and a season-high 22 digs. Bellomy completed a strong weekend effort with 12 kills, and sophomore Stacey Craighead (Roanoke, Va.) added 11 kills.

The Pirates will play host for the first time this season, as they welcome NJIT at Walsh Gymnasium on Wednesday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m.