The Quinnipiac Bobcats 5-24 (3-13 MAAC) took on the Manhattan Jaspers 20-10 (13-3 MAAC) in the final home game of the season on Senior Day at Burt Kahn Court. The Bobcats were unable to keep up with the Jaspers and lost 3-1.
Seniors Logan Riker (Bowling Green, Ohio) and Bonnie Conklin (Plano, Texas) were honored before the start of the match.
The Jaspers have dominated the MAAC throughout the entire season, establishing themselves as one of the best teams in the conference. Yet despite the Bobcats’ youth, they were able to take an early lead in the first set.
The Jaspers then battled back and took the lead midway through the set, but the Bobcats, led by Katie Urycki (Chesterton, Ind.) and Allison Leigh (Palmer, Alaska), were able to reclaim the lead. Both teams went back and forth, resulting in a 19-19 tie, late in the set.
Despite strong defensive play from Riker and several powerful blasts by Urycki, the Jaspers won the first set 27-25.
Urycki led the set with eight kills and a .438 attack percentage. Brittany Robinson (Fresno, Calif.) posted 14 assists for the Bobcats.
In the second set, the Bobcats and the Jaspers battled back and forth, as strong play from both squads resulted in a 13-13 tie. Leigh and Urycki led the way for the Bobcats, allowing them to maintain a close lead deep into the second set. Leigh then blasted another kill, winning the second set 25-23.
Manhattan opened the third set playing extremely well. As a team, the Jaspers put on an onslaught of attacks on the Bobcats, however, the Bobcats were able to maintain their mistake free play and keep the set close.
The Jaspers took a 13-8 lead, prompting a timeout from the Bobcats. Leigh and Urycki continued their strong play throughout the third set. The Bobcats played well, but the Jaspers played even better, consistently killing any momentum that the Bobcats gained.
As the Jaspers continued to make good plays, Urycki continued to attack, keeping the Bobcats in contention late in the set, but the Jaspers won the third set 25-20 and took a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth and final set, the strong play from both teams continued as the Bobcats and the Jaspers traded blows, eventually ending in a 25-22 victory for the Jaspers.
The Jaspers were led by Sydney Volovski, who tallied up 16 kills on 35 attempts, and Ellie Wiekamp, who had 17 kills on 47 attempts. Setter Teodora Peric assisted on 49 attacks.
Standouts for the Bobcats include Urycki, who finished with 19 kills and a .340 attack percentage. Leigh had 17 kills and six blocks for the Bobcats. Riker put up big numbers in her final home game, tying a program record with 29 digs.
The Bobcats now travel on the road to Canisius and Niagara to conclude their 2013 season.
