By Steven M. Glassman

Director of Sports Information

September 30, 2024

DUNMORE, PA—United States College Athletic Association (USCAA) Division I Manor College Women's Volleyball (1-3) won its first match as a four-year program in a straight set sweep, 3-0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-11), versus USCAA Division II and Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference member (PSUAC) Pennsylvania State University-Scranton Nittany Lions (0-9) at the Multi-Purpose Center.

Manor took two early leads in the first set (5-1 and 10-6) on a sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Cheyenne Velez (Philadelphia, PA/Kensington HS for the Creative and Performing Arts) kill and service ace, respectively.  Scranton responded with five straight points and took an 11-10 lead. Manor retook the lead for the remainder of this set after three ties and three lead changes.  They took the lead for good in this set and the remainder of this match, 13-12, on Nittany Lions' freshman Sheemi Patel attack error. Scranton got within one, 15-14 on sophomore Maddie Langdon's service ace.  The Blue Jays responded with a 8-2 run and led 23-17 on senior Holly Bidwell's service error. Manor won the set, 25-20, on a junior Quinise Armstrong attack error.  This was the Blue Jays' first set win since October 19, 2021 when they won 25-18 in the first set versus the Cheyney University Wolves at Manor (51 sets). This was the Manor's first road set win since winning the third set, 25-18, on October 8, 2019 versus the NJCAA Region XIX Division III Community College of Philadelphia Colonels (48 sets).

The Blue Jays took a pair of early leads, 5-1 (Scranton's Langdon bad set error) and 9-3 (Velez' block solo off of a Langdon attack error) in the second set.  After the Nittany Lions scored two straight to close within 9-5, the Blue Jays answered on an 11-3 run, which included its first double-digit lead (18-8 on a Velez service ace) and largest advantage in this set (20-9 on another Velez service ace).  Manor maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of this set and won the set, 25-15, on an freshman outside hitter/middle blocker Allyah Kluska (Philadelphia, PA) kill, with an assist by freshman setter Angelina Tannura (Middletown, NY).

Scranton tied Manor early in the third set, 2-2, on a Bidwell kill.  Manor took the lead for the remainder of this set, 3-2, on a Bidwell service error.  This began an 11-2 run and the Blue Jays took its first double-digit lead in this set, 14-4, on a Langdon attack error. After the Nittany Lions closed the gap to 15-6, the Blue Jays went on a 9-2, and took its largest lead of this set and the match, 24-8, on Velez' tenth service ace.  The Blue Jays clinched the third set and match win on Langdon's attack error.

Manor's last overall win was on October 8, 2019 versus the Colonels, 3-2 (26-24, 12-25, 13-25, 25-13, 15-10), at Manor (29 matches).  The Blue Jays last road win was October 9, 2018 versus the Colonels, 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-18) (16 matches).

This was also the first collegiate coaching win for Manor first-year Head Coach Michael Cianci.

Manor Individual Statistical Leaders:

Kills (4): Kluska (season-high) and Velez (tied a season-high).

Total Attacks (8): Kluska (season-high) and Velez (tied a season-high).

Assists (3): Tannura (tied a season-high).

Service Aces (10): Velez (season-high).  Sophomore outside hitter Kayla Torres (Levittown, PA/Harry S. Truman) also had a season-high eight.  Torres and Velez combined for the 18 of the Blue Jays' season-high 24 service aces.

Digs (1): By four players.

Points (Kills+Service Aces+Blocks) (15.0): Velez. Torres also had 10.0 points.  Torres and Velez combined for 25.0 of the Manor's season-high 35.0 points.

PSU-Scranton Individual Statistical Leaders:

Kills (4): Langdon.

Total Attacks (12): Langdon.

Assists (2): Bidwell.

Service Aces (3): Junior Saige Duncan.

Digs (3): Armstrong and Duncan.

Points (6.0): Langdon.

Manor versus the Association (Since 2021):  This is Manor's first win versus a USCAA school in eight overall matches (five on the road).

The Blue Jays versus the PSUAC (Since 2021):  This is the Blue Jays first win versus a PSUAC school in five overall matches (all on the road).

Series Record (Since 2021):  This is the first match in the series between the two schools.

Next Match: Manor travels to play the fourteenth-ranked NJCAA Division III Lehigh Carbon Community College Cougars (10-1) on Wednesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. at Berrier Hall in Schnecksville, PA.  The Blue Jays previously played the Cougars on September 14, 2019 (Cougars won, 3-0, at Manor) when Manor was a NJCAA Region XIX Division III member.  Manor previously played at Lehigh Carbon on September 15, 2018 (Lehigh Carbon won, 3-0).  Between 2012 and 2019, the Cougars have won nine of 10 matches overall (four of five at Lehigh Carbon) versus Manor.  The Blue Jays only win during this period was, 3-2 (23-25, 25-10, 25-19, 20-25, 17-15), at Lehigh Carbon on September 19, 2015. Manor is seeking their first win versus a NJCAA school (seven overall matches, including two on the road) since 2021. The Blue Jays last defeated a NJCAA school on October 8, 2019 versus the Community College of Philadelphia at Manor.  Manor's last road win versus a NJCAA school was on October 9, 2018 versus the Colonels.

Manor Athletics on Social Media:

Instagram: manor_athletics.

Twitter: @manorbluejays.

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