The New York University men's volleyball team, ranked #14 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), defeated #4 Carthage College in a five-set match on Saturday, January 21, in Kenosha, WI.

The Violets, off to a 3-0 start this season, alternated winning sets with the Red Men (1-1), taking the match by scores of 25-23, 18-25, 25-20, 18-25, 15-13.

It was the second victory in two days for the Violets, who defeated #13 Dominican University in River Forest, IL, on Friday.

"This was a tremendous performance by our young team, hanging with some of the best teams in the nation and doing it on the road," said Head Coach Jose Pina.

After splitting the first four sets, the two teams were still knotted at 13-13 in the fifth when Alex Li's kill gave the Violets the lead. NYU then clinched the match on a combined block from Andrew Zhu and Neil Ferraro,

"What a great ending to a great match," Pina added. "I'm extremely proud of the way the guys fought throughout the match and hung tough to pull out a real gritty victory."

Li was a beast at net. He recorded 28 kills, 17 more than any other player on either team.

"Just an outstanding performance by a freshman, especially against such a tough oppnent," Pina said. 

NOTABLES:

- Senior co-captain Sean Leahy contributed eight kills, hitting .615 at the net.

- Zhu and Evan Lindley each contributed nine kills, while Ferraro had eight.

-  Derrick Chiu had a match-high 56 assists.

The Violets return to the court when they host a tri-meet on Saturday, January 28. NYU will face top-ranked Springfield College and then the College of Mt. St. Vincent, with action beginning at 2:00 pm at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility.