Manhattanville Hosts Purchase in Volleyball Opener

PURCHASE, N.Y. -- The Kennedy Gymnasium on the campus of Manhattanville College will be jumping Thursday as the Lady Valiants open the 2011 volleyball season against rival Purchase College, 7 p.m. It will also mark the Manhattaville coaching debut of Amanda Alayon.

The 22-year-old Alayon was a four-year starter at Fairleigh Dickinson University and a May 2011 graduate.

“The girls have responded really well to each other and to me," Alayon said. “They’ve come together as a team and they enjoy playing with each other and for each other.”

The nine-member team is led by seniors Maggie Black, Makana Gomes, Allie Johnson and Damaris Morales. Morales led the team with 224 kills last year and Gomes collected 589 sets.

“I am very pleased because the girls have come a long way in a week and a half,” Alayon said. “I am excited to get started and show that we are a good team.”

Purchase enters the match highlighted by Olivia Hintz and Lindsay Frohman.

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