NYU Wins to Open Home Weekend
The New York University women's volleyball team recorded a win over Montclair State University at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan on Friday. The Violets opened its Season-Opening Invitational with a four-set victory (29-31, 25-11, 25-20, 25-8).
In their first match of the weekend, NYU ran away with an early 6-3 lead before Montclair State erased the deficit to level the score 7-7. The Violets traded points with the Red Hawks evening out at 29-29 before Montclair State pulled ahead to close out the frame. "Even though we felt like we had a chance to win, no one needs to panic." said Head Coach Andrew Brown. "If we just flush it out, our numbers are going to shift automatically,"
The Violets did not trail at any point in the second stanza, getting out to a 5-0 lead before the Red Hawks rallied the score to 9-9. NYU responded with 11 consecutive points to extend their lead to 20-9. The Violets maintained their momentum to close out the set with back-to-back service aces from KylieEmma Obeto.
Set three was close early, with NYU leading 9-8, then recording a five-point run to take control at 14-8. The Violets extended their advantage to 19-15 before the Red Hawks cut the deficit to two points. Both teams exchanged points before NYU pulled ahead with a kill-ace combo from Coco Barton to take the frame.
NYU got out to a strong start in the final set with a 12-3 lead assisted by another two-point service ace run from Obeto followed by back-to-back kills from Casey Cho. Grace Nelson would keep the momentum going, extending the Violets advantage to 20-7. NYU closed out the set with a 17-point lead, its largest of the season.
"We know that every team that comes in here is going to give us their best shot," added Head Coach Brown. "It's going to create more opportunities to make strategic adjustments."
Lucianna Welles led the Violets with 14 kills, while Nelson and Cho added 12 and 11, respectively. Alden Roberts launched 27 assists across four sets, while Kate Scherlacher followed closely behind with 25. Lily Leung accumulated 12 digs, followed by Scherlacher and Sarah Beville both adding eight.