The New York University women's volleyball team lost in four sets to Montclair State University on Friday, October 21, in Montclair, NJ.

The final scores were 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 28-26. The Violets are now 14-12 this season, while the Red Hawks are 20-7.

In the first set, NYU only trailed once...after the first point. The Violets took a pair of seven-point leads and then held on as Montclair rallied to within 24-23. However a Red Hawk attack error on the final point handed the opening set to the Violets.

In the second set, NYU trailed 13-7 before closing to 15-14. However, Montclair State scored five of the next six points and NYU did not get closer than three the rest of the way.

The third set consisted of 21 tie scores and 12 lead changes before the Red Hawks pulled away for the victory.      

NYU scored the first three points of the fourth set and went ahead by as many as seven points on two occasions. However, Montclair State erased its deficit and pulled into a 16-16 tie. NYU responded by scoring the next four points and opened up a 23-17 lead. The Red Hawks then scored six in a row to tie the set. Three more ties ensued before a Montclair State service ace and a Violet attack error gave the Red Hawks the match. 

"We had a lot of high points in the match, but we struggled at the midpoint of every set," said Head Coach Jolie Ward.

IMPORTANT POINTS:

- Three Violets had double-digit kills: Rayne Ellis (14), Gretchen Cash (13) and Annie Singh (10). Caroline Rapp was right behind with nine.

"Rayne was an offensive weapon tonight," Ward added.

- Grace Napolitano led the team with 19 digs.

- Daryl Mitchell recorded a team-best 25 assists. Katie Goyette added 17.

"We will continue to work out the kinks and get ready for our tournament next weekend," Ward explained.

NYU returns to action next Friday and Saturday, October 28-29, when the squad hosts the NY Region Challenge. The Violets face Nazareth College in their first match on Friday at 4:00 pm at the Hunter College Sportsplex in Manhattan.