The New York University women's volleyball team fell in its opening matches at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship, hosted by Washington University in St. Louis on Friday, November 4.

NYU, seeded #7, first faced off against the second-seeded Emory University Eagles and dropped the three-set match by scores of 25-19, 25-8 and 25-15. In the evening portion, the Violets faced off against #6 Case Western Reserve University and once again dropped three sets by scores of 25-13, 25-20 and 25-19.

The first match began with the Violets quickly earning two points from unforced errors by the Eagles. Sophomore Daryl Mitchell and freshman Sabrina Krebs each posted two kills to push the Violets to a set-high 12-8 lead. However, the squad soon surrendered the lead, as well as the set, as Emory finished on a 6-1 run.

Emory brought its momentum into the second set. The Eagles scored the first five points, four of which were either a kill or a service ace. Two consecutive aces by Sara Carr culminated an 8-0 Eagles' run and pushed Emory to a 15-3 lead. The Eagles continued to control play en route to the 25-8 victory.

The Violets fought back in the third set. They raced out to a 5-2 lead, punctuated by a kill from freshman Kelsey Kraetz. However, Emory took advantage of a 5-0 run midway through the set to win the frame and clinch the match.

NYU did not fare better in their second match on Friday. Case Western cruised to a 25-13 first set victory which included an 8-0 run.

After the Violets scored the opening point of the second set, the Spartans countered with a 6-0 run. NYU fought back behind Caroline Rapp's four kills to pull within 20-19 before falling 25-20.

Case Western never gave up its lead in the third set after a 3-3 en route to the straight-set victory.

HIGHLIGHTS vs. EMORY:

- Kraetz recorded a team-high and season-best seven kills.

- Freshman Zel Fortson set up a match-high 22 assists.

- Junior libero Grace Napolitano led the Violets with 15 digs.

- Krebs posted two blocks against the Eagles.


HIGHLIGHTS vs. CASE WESTERN:

- Junior Rayne Ellis posted eight kills to lead the Violets.

- Fortson set a game-high 27 assists.

- Napolitano again led the Violets with 13 digs.

- Sophomore Shelby King, Ellis and Kraetz each recorded four blocks.

The Violets will return to action at the UAA Championship when they take on #8-seed Brandeis University on Saturday, November 5, at 10:00 am.