MANHATTANVILLE, N.Y. - Despite a team-high nine kills from junior outside hitter Julia Stoliker (Red Hook, N.Y.), the Western Connecticut State University women's volleyball team fell in its season opener at non-conference opponent Manhattanville College, 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 25-18), on Saturday. Senior defensive specialist Jersey Jones (Middletown, N.Y.) added a match-high three service aces for the Wolves.

Senior Delia Clouden (Newtown, Conn.) and classmate Maggie Ferguson (Southbury, Conn.) added four and three block assists, respectively, for WestConn.

The visitors jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to begin play. Stoliker smashed a shot to the floor to finish off the flurry. However, the Valiants retaliated with a run to seize a 10-9 advantage in the first set. The lead changed hands several times throughout the remainder until WestConn went on top, 22-19. But the hosts countered yet again to snag a 24-22 lead before wrapping up the opening set, 25-23, courtesy of a kill from Loren Hernandez. She would finish with a match-high 18 kills to go along with a .438 hitting percentage.

The Wolves would not recover from that tough opening set loss. Manhattanville erupted to move ahead in the second frame, 19-6, and would not look back. 

With the loss, WestConn moved to 0-1 overall while Manhattanville improved to 1-0. The Wolves will look to pierce the win column when they travel to Farmingdale State for another non-league contest on Thursday at 6 p.m.