Stevens Tech 3 NYU 2The New York University women's volleyball team lost a close match to Stevens Institute of Technology on Senior Night on Wednesday, October 22, at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
The Violets (17-12) won both the second and fourth set against the Ducks (24-4), but could not sustain the advantage.
After dropping the first set to Stevens Tech, 25-19, the Violets immediately responded by winning the second 25-21.
Stevens Tech again took an advantage by winning the third set 26-17. However, the fourth set was a total reversal as NYU posted a 25-17 victory.
Though the Violets scored the first two points of the final set, they could not hold the advantage as the Ducks went on to a match-deciding 15-9 win.
"It may have been our last match ever in the Coles gym, so it's a little bittersweet that we had to end with a tough loss like that," said NYU Head Coach
Jolie Ward. "I think our team showed a lot of resiliency to be able to come out of the timeouts and play harder to comeback from huge defects time after time."
In addition, the night may have marked the final home match for four Violets, as
Sonya Bray,
Katie Robinson,
Vera Shulgina, and team captain
Allie Williams celebrated their Senior Night.
"I think that Vera, Katie, Sonya, and Allie all knew that they wanted to do their best job today," Ward said. "I think that all of them produced and did what they needed to do throughout the match. I'm proud that they were able to stay on the court and do what they did throughout the match."
HIGHLIGHTS:- Gigi Morally put away a team-high 14 kills for the Violets, while Nicole Frias was also strong on offense with 11 kills.
"I think that Gigi did an excellent job," Ward said. "In the last two matches she's played in, she's really made herself a valuable part of our program."
- Brooke Tannahill recorded a season-high 23 digs.
"It was nice to be able to see Brooke in the libero position," Ward said. "She was able to create a lot of stability for us."
- MaTia Hughes set her career high with 42 assists.
"I think that MaTia did a great job stepping up into the setter role and doing what she needed to do for this team," Ward said.
The Violets return to action this Saturday, October 25, to face Richard Stockton College on the road in Galloway, NJ. The match begins at,10:00 am and will be followed by a scheduled 12:00 pm match vs. Baruch College.
