RIVERDALE, N.Y.  – The Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team opened Metro Atlantic Conference (MAAC) play with a bang Saturday evening, rallying to earn a five-set victory over Manhattan in Riverdale, N.Y.

As a team, the Pios recorded a season-high 16 total blocks. Both Cristina Montanez and Lauren Harrell set or tied career marks in blocks. Montanez tied her career high in total blocks (9) and assisted blocks (8), while Harrell set a new career-high with six assisted blocks. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Camryn Luginbuhl, with 24 kills and 15 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Allison Murray also tallied a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. 

Records:
Sacred Heart: 5-8, 1-0 MAAC
Manhattan: 1-10, 0-1 MAAC
 
Top Performers:
Camryn Luginbuhl: 24 kills, 15 digs, 3 blocks, .294 hitting percentage
Gaby Zovko: 37 assists, 5 digs, 2 aces
Allison Murray: 12 kills, 10 digs  

How It Happened:
The Pioneers opened the first set on a 3-0 run, staying ahead by three by the 7-4 mark. The Jaspers rallied to cut the deficit to one, 14-13, before a 7-1 SHU spurt put the visitors ahead by seven, 21-14. Manhattan continued to play tough, but the Pios took the set, 25-19. 

Unfortunately for Sacred Heart, the Jaspers took advantage of long runs in both the second and third sets to go ahead in the match 2-1. Manhattan used a late 6-0 surge in the second to earn a 25-20 win, while an 8-0 run midway through the third gave the home team a 25-19 victory. 

With their backs against the wall, the Pioneers answered in the fourth set, taking a 14-7 lead following an impressive 7-0 surge. Luginbuhl tallied kills on three of the seven points for SHU. The two teams traded points from there, but the Pios were ahead enough to seal the 25-17 victory on a Miliani Villarreal ace.

The fifth set was all Pioneers, as the visitors won eight of the first 11 points before the teams switched sides. SHU led by as much as eight in the fifth, 11-3, finishing the comeback with a 15-7 win. 

Up Next:
SHU continues league play tomorrow with a 1 p.m. tilt against Iona in New Rochelle, N.Y.