The New York University men's volleyball team, ranked #12 in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 15 Poll, faced #9 Vassar College in a United Volleyball Conference (UVC) match at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility on Tuesday night, February 23, in Brooklyn, NY. The Violets bested the Brewers in four sets (20-25, 25-22, 25-13, 25-22).
"We were able to neutralize their outsides and slow down their main middle," said NYU Head Coach Jose Pina. "We had scouted their tendancies very well, and in a tight match we were set up to counter them with our blocking."NYU (6-6, 3-1 UVC) fell behind early after dropping the first set, but came back to win the next three and defeat Vassar (11-3, 2-2 UVC).
The Brewers took the first set behind six kills from Reno Kriz. But, the Violets came right back in the second as
Chase Klein and
Chase Corbett picked up three kills apiece.
Tied at 1-1, the third set was crucial for both squads, but the Violets took advantage. NYU jumped out to a 9-1 lead and then extended that to 15-3. The home squad was able to take its largest lead at 24-11 before clinching the set 25-13.
Sean Leahy,
Phil Bueno and Klein combined for five total blocks during the set.
NYU went on to win the final set, as well, as Klein notched another four kills.
HIGHLIGHTS:- Klein led the Violets with a team-best 14 kills. He also added eight digs and two blocks.
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Nick Benson finished with 11 kills and seven digs.
- Leahy led all players with a match-best seven total blocks. The junior co-captain also notched eight kills.
- Bueno and Corbett each registered six kills. Bueno also finished with six total blocks, five digs and a match-best three service aces. Corbett notched a .417 hitting percentage.
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Derrick Chiu finished with a match-high 37 assists.
"Derrick started a little slow, but as the match progressed -- especially after his block -- his confidence rose, which picked up the pace of his setting, Pina added. "He used Leahy more tonight and I believe that got him going."
- Kriz led the Brewers with a match-best 18 kills.
NYU will return to action on Thursday night, February 25, when it travels across the Hudson River for a 7:00 pm match at New Jersey City University.
