The New York University men's volleyball team fell in three sets to SUNY New Paltz in a United Volleyball Conference (UVC) match on Thursday night, March 12, in New Paltz, NY.
The loss (25-14, 25-19, 25-21) to the #4
(American Volleyball Coaches Association) Hawks (12-3, 5-1 UVC) halted a three-match winning streak for the #10 Violets (10-6, 4-2).
"It was the same result as our first meeting, but we played better tonight than we did last time," said NYU Head Coach
Jose Pina. "Our passing was better and so was our serving."
The first set was back and forth until NYU held a 9-8 lead. Following that point, New Paltz jumped out to a 17-9 advantage en route to the 25-14 win.
The second set followed almost the same pattern as the first, as the Violets went ahead 10-9 prior to the Hawks taking a 15-11 lead. NYU was able to cut New Paltz's lead to 15-14 following a kill and service ace by
Chase Klein, and a block from
Sean Leahy. But, the Hawks would win 10 of the next 15 points to take the set.
The third and final set was the closest of the three, but the Violets' only leads were 1-0 and 2-1 before falling 25-21. NYU did tie it up with New Paltz on four different occasions (16-16, 17-17, 18-18, 19-19).
"New Paltz is a very physical team, which is the type that gives us trouble," continued Pina.
HIGHLIGHTS:- Klein,
Colin LaPorte and
Nick Benson led NYU with six kills each. Benson was efficient, hitting .600 on 10 swings.
-
Patrick Merrick led all players with 22 assists.
-
Benjamin Oxnard led the Violets with seven digs.
- Merrick, Leahy and
Phil Bueno each finished with two total blocks.
NYU will be back in action for four matches in two days in Buffalo, NY. The Violets will face Hilbert College and D'Youville College at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, respectively, on Saturday, March 21. NYU then faces Carthage College and Medaille College at 9:00 am and 11:00 am on Sunday, March 22.
