NYU vs. St. John Fisher Box Score
NYU vs. RIT Box Score

The New York University women's volleyball team won both of its matches on the first day of the Rochester Institute of Technology Invitational on Friday, September 17, in Rochester, NY.

The Violets (10-2), currently ranked 23rd in the AVCA Division III Coaches Poll, defeated both St. John Fisher College and host RIT in four sets to move to 2-0 in Pool A of the tournament.

"I was very happy with how our team responded to dropping a set both times," said interim head coach Chris Pinto.  "The way they battled back really showed their toughness and resilience."

In the first match of the day against the Cardinals of St. John Fisher (4-4), the Violets responded to a third-set loss after taking the first two by posting one of their best single-set victories ever to win 3-1 (25-18, 25-13, 17-25, 25-5).

Kendyl Dunn led the way on offense, putting down a match-high 16 kills while hitting .593 with four blocks, including two solos.

Also in double-digits on offense were Erin McLaughlin and Natalie Fernandez, who both tallied 10 kills, while Fernandez also put up 10 digs for her first double-double of the season.

On defense, libero Rachel Sawyer led the team with fourteen digs while also adding two service aces.

Also putting up double-digit digs was setter Mina Baban, who recorded 12 while also setting 37 assists.

For the Cardinals, Becca Smith notched 12 kills while both Jenna Rath and Smith both added 14 digs.

In the Violets evening matchup against the host RIT Tigers (6-4), the team again responded to a third-set loss after taking the first two by winning a hard-fought fourth set.  In that fourth set NYU won nine of the last 10 points to take the match 3-1 (25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 25-20).

Dunn again led the way on offense, this time posting 19 kills while hitting .319.

Putting together her best all-around match of the season, McLaughlin tallied 17 kills and 17 digs while also adding two service aces.

On defense, Sawyer again led the charge with 19 digs and added a match-high four service aces, while Fernandez (13) and Jess Storer (14) were both in double-digits in digs as well.

For the Tigers, Jessica Schaffer led the way on offense and defense, recording 12 kills and 15 digs.

The Violets return to action tomorrow for the second day of the RIT tournament when they take on SUNY Geneseo, a squad they've already beaten once this season, at 12:00 pm.