PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Sarah Lawrence men's volleyball team battled the Manhattanville Valiants through four sets on Wednesday evening, eventually falling 25-18 in the decisive set. The Gryphons now sit at 7-6 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.
Notable Performers
- Jack Cahill led the team with both 15 kills and eight digs
- Alex Xie racked up his 1,000th career assist while totaling 24 on the evening
- Jackson Perhaes totaled eight kills and four total blocks in the loss
How it Happened
The two teams battled throughout the match, including early in the first set, with a pair of early Perhaes kills helped SLC to a 4-3 advantage. The Gryphons kept a slight lead, using an
Aidan Roney and
Ethan Look block as well as a kill by the senior, but a three-point swing by the hosts gave the Valiants a 14-13 lead. The Gryphons battled back, using a Perhaes/Roney block to take a 21-20 advantage, but the Valiants took five of the final six points to take a first-set victory. The Valiants jumped ahead 9-5 in the second set, but a five-point swing consisting of a pair of Perhaes kills sprung the Gryphons into the lead. The Valiants worked their way back, with a 7-1 late-set run giving the team a 20-15 lead. A pair of late-set kills by Cahill would not bring the Gryphons back, as the Valiants held on for a 25-19 second-set victory. The third set saw kills from both Cahill and
Mikel Miller, as well as a handful of blocks that allowed the Gryphons to take a 15-11 lead. The Valiants stormed back at the end of the set to tie the period at 23 points apiece, but the Gryphons rallied for the final two points as Roney and Cahill gave the Gryphons a third-set victory, forcing a fourth set. The fourth set saw the two teams stay neck-and-neck before a mid-set run by the hosts put the Valiants ahead by eight points. A Manhattanville block put the team up 21-11 later in the set, moments before a 23-13 lead. The Gryphons rallied at that point, taking four straight points before an SLC error gave the hosts match point. The ending was delayed thanks to a Perhaes/Miller block, but a Manhattanville kill sealed a 25-18 fourth-set victory and a 3-1 match win.
Up Next
The Gryphons (7-6, Skyline 1-1) will return to action on Saturday as they head to Long Island for a 12:00 p.m. matchup with the hosting Panthers of Old Westbury. The Gryphons will look to move above .500 in conference play heading into next week.
