Marist Red Foxes Sweep Manhattan For First MAAC Win

By Connor Giblin

POUGHKEEPSIE – Outside hitters Gabriella Heimbauer (13 kills), Madelyn Waumans (12 kills), and Jordan Newblatt (11 kills) headlined a Marist attack that dispatched Manhattan in three sets for the Red Foxes’ first MAAC win on Saturday afternoon at McCann Arena.

The Red Foxes earned the win in front of a raucous crowd for Family Weekend in the team’s conference home opener. The victory also marked the first in Poughkeepsie for the Red Foxes this year.

In addition to the trio’s efforts, senior setter McKinley Fox registered 35 assists and three service aces. Senior defensive specialist Morgan Owens recorded 18 of Marist’s 54 digs on the day.

Erin Hoener led Manhattan with seven kills and four block assists. Julieanne McKee and Ashley Chan totaled 19 assists and 19 digs, respectively.

Marist jumped out to a quick 5-1 start in the first set, punctuated by freshman middle hitter Alyssa White’s kill.

Manhattan clawed back to start a back-and-forth effort. However, with the set deadlocked at 14, Newblatt ignited a 4-0 spurt to regain the Red Foxes’ advantage.

The visitors got to within 21-19, but White registered the kill, Heimbauer did the same on two straight plays, and White and Waumans teamed up to block Alanna Harder at the net for a 25-19 triumph for the Red Foxes in the opening stanza.

Two kills from Lizzi Brown staked Manhattan to a 4-1 edge in the second set, but Waumans found hardwood twice in a 4-1 Marist run to tie the set.

With the score 13-10 in favor of the home team, the Red Foxes rattled off 10 consecutive points. Two aces from Fox and two kills from Waumans highlighted the stretch in an eventual 25-12 victory.

The third set started similarly for both sides; the Jaspers were 6-2 off two kills from Brown, forcing a Red Fox timeout.

Out of the huddle, Marist went on a 7-0 run. Freshman libero Jillian Hanna notched two service aces, while Waumans had another pair of kills.

Marist was ahead 11-10 in the period, and extended that lead to 16-11 by capitalizing on multiple Jasper errors.

With the score 20-17, Newblatt and Waumans collected a trio of kills during a 4-0 run. A Manhattan attacking error sealed the final set 25-18 for the Red Foxes.