Box Score In a matchup of ranked opponents, the #11 New York University men's volleyball team (3-2) was defeated by #4 SUNY New Paltz (3-0) on Thursday, February 5, at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.. The match lasted three sets and was decided by a score of 25-21, 25-12, 25-20.
In the first set, despite trailing by five points early, NYU tied the score at 10-10. After again falling behind by as many as five, the Violets rallied to pull within 23-21 before an NYU service error and a service ace from New Paltz ended the set.
The second set saw the Violets fall behind 10-1. They never pull closer than eight points the rest of the way.
In the final set, NYU was within two, 13-11, midway through, but that was as close as it got. The Hawks opened up a seven point advantage on several occasions before clinching the match.
"New Paltz is a very physical team and probably the toughest serving team in the nation," said NYU Head Coach
Jose Pina. "They put a lot of pressure on you."
Highlights:-
Patrick Merrick had a match-high 21 assists for NYU.
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Colin LaPorte had a match-high-tying eight kills for the Violets, while adding two digs.
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Sean Leahy added three kills for NYU.
"I liked the play of
Sean Leahy," added Pina. "I thought he played well and I like how he has progessed in the middle."
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Nick Benson contributed for NYU, as well. The junior had five kills to go along with a team-high-tying four digs.
NYU will be back in action on Sunday, February 15, as it opens up United Volleyball Conference play with a tri-match in Elmira, NY. The Violets will first play host Elmira at 11:00 am, before squaring off against Vassar College at 2:00 pm.
