The New York University men's volleyball team continued its road trip through the Chicago suburbs on Saturday, January 20, as it took on host North Central College and Marian College in Naperville, IL.
NYU (2-1), ranked #5 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason poll, defeated North Central in four sets before going the distance and defeating Marian in five.
Against North Central, the Violets dropped a tight opening set 25-23, but bounced back to win three straight, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22.
Alex Li led the way for the Violets with 15 kills (.480 attack percentage), while
Neil Ferraro provided plenty of help up front, finishing with 10 kills and five blocks.
In the second match of the day against Marian, the Violets won the first two sets by identical 25-18 scores before dropping the next two by the slimmest of margins (25-23, 27-25). NYU was able to regain its composure and take the winner-takes-all fifth set, 15-12.
Ferraro and Li once again helped lead the Violets to victory, tallying 16 and 14 kills, respectively. Ferraro again was the team leader in blocks with five.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
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Matin Bikdeli dished out 42 assists in the win against North Central.
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Evan Lindley also had a productive match against the Cardinals, finishing with nine kills and five digs.
- Bikdeli added 29 more assists against Marion, while also adding three service aces.
- Lindley and
Connor Keowen both tallied nine digs in the second win of the day.
The Violets return to action on Friday evening, January 26, when they travel north to take on defending NCAA Division III Champion Springfield College. First serve is slated for 7pm in Springfield.
