The New York University women's volleyball team fell to Nazareth College in its first match at the NY Region Challenge, which the Violets are hosting on Friday and Saturday, October 28-29, at the Hunter College Sportsplex in Manhattan.

The Violets (14-13) were defeated by the Golden Flyers (21-8) in three sets (25-19,25-23, 25-19).

NYU never led in the first set and trailed by as many as nine points, 11-2, before pulling to within three at 17-14. However, Nazareth scored the next two points and the Violets never got any closer.

The Violets managed their first lead of the match in the second set and were ahead 16-15 following a pair of Nazareth errors. However, the Golden Flyers erased their deficit and went on to take a 22-18 lead. NYU clawed back to within 24-23, but Nazareth closed the set on a kill by Cady Messmer.   

NYU got off to a 3-0 start in the final set, but couldn't hold the lead. Narareth went up by five, 17-12, but the Violets pulled within 19-18. The Golden Flyers then scored the next five points to secure their victory.   

"We've had switches to positions due to injuries and have been trying to work through these," said Head Coach Jolie Ward. "It's made an impact on our flow and chemistry."

AT THE NET:

- Caroline Rapp led NYU with eight kills.

- Grace Napolitano recorded a team-high 14 digs.

- Annie Singh contributed eight digs and four kills.

"We're stil playing well in bursts," Ward concluded. "We have talent on the court. We just need to break through."

The Violets return to action for day two of the NY Region Challenge on Saturday, October 29. NYU will face Rochester Institute of Technology at 10:30 am and Buffalo State College at 2:30 pm.