Box Score

In a stunning come-from-behind victory, the New York University men's volleyball team defeated EIVA Hay rival Harvard University in five sets on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Malkin Athletic Center in Cambridge, MA.

The Violets (2-8, 1-0 EIVA Hay), currently ranked 10th in the Bison/AVCA Division III Men's Coaches Top 15 Poll, quickly found themselves with no room for error, behind two sets to none against the Crimson (1-2, 0-1 EIVA Hay), losing 30-26, 30-28.

In the third set the Violets came alive.  After taking the lead on the first play off of a kill from senior captain Devin Zolnowski, NYU quickly built its advantage, jumping ahead 4-1 off of a block from Zolnowski and freshman Luke Hamlet.  The Crimson held the deficit to no more than three for the next few points, until a Zolnowski service ace, sandwiched between two kills from freshman Pat Dodd extended the lead to 15-9, forcing Harvard to take a timeout. 

Nine plays later the Violets built their lead to seven at 20-13 with a Harvard attack error.  A kill from sophomore Fran Hodgson and another Crimson attack error gave NYU its biggest least at eight, 22-14.  Harvard climbed back to within five at 20-25, but that would be as close at it would come as the Violets took the set 30-22.

In the fourth set the Violets dominated, building a quick four-point lead at 9-5 off of a block from Dodd and Hodgson.  After Harvard took the next point, the Violets went on a run, taking 10 of the next 13 points, including two service aces from junior Michael Ferragonio, to open a 19-9 lead.  After that point the Violets were on cruise control as they took the the set 30-22.

The fifth set saw Zolnowski and the Violets completely take control of the match.  After a kill on the first play, Zolnowski showed off his strength at the net, turning back a Crimson attack for a solo block.  NYU quickly built its lead to four at 8-4 off of a Hodgson kill going into the side-switch and a Harvard timeout. 

On the ensuing plays the Crimson showed signs of life, notching two kills along with an NYU attack error to cut the deficit to one at 8-7, forcing NYU to call a timeout.  The Violets responded, taking the next point with a kill from Ferragonio.  Zolnowski eventually brought the lead back to four with a kill at 12-8 and this time NYU held on, never allowing Harvard to come within three the rest of the way, taking the deciding set 15-11 to secure the victory.

Leading the way for NYU in the match was its record-setting play at the net.  The Violets recorded an NYU rally-scoring record 25.5 blocks, including five solos.  Hodgson led the way at the net, putting back 11 balls while Hamlet and Zolnowski both turned back 10.

Zolnowski and Hodgson also completed double-doubles with Zolnowski recording a match-high 21 kills while Hodgson notched 12.

Senior setter Ilan Goldstein also recorded a double-double, putting up 53 assists along with a match-high 10 digs.

For the Crimson, senior Brady Weissbourd and freshman Matt Jones both notched 14 kills while junior Erik Kuld put up nine assists.

The Violets return to action on Tuesday night, Feb. 10, when they travel to Princeton, NJ, to take on Princeton University at 7:00 pm.