The New York University women's volleyball team lost a grueling five-set match to Montclair State University on Thursday, October 18, in Montclair, NJ.

The Violets (14-12) and Red Hawks (15-6) waged a fierce battle over five sets with the home team finally capturing the match by scores of 25-23, 23-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-13.

In a competition that took more than two hours to complete, the first four sets were virtually mirror images as the teams not only traded victories, but scores as well.

In the deciding fifth set, Montclair State raced out to an 8-4 lead, but NYU battled back to tie the score 9-9. Knotted again at 11-11, the Violets managed to take a 13-11 lead, but  the Red Hawks responded by scoring the final four points and clinching the match.

"It was a terrific match. Both teams played with a lot of intensity," said Head Coach Andrew Brown. "I think we lacked experience under pressure to close out sets with earned points. When we did, we won sets."     

Abby Ausmus finished with a match-high 17 digs for the Violets, while Nazzerine Waldon contributed a double-double with 12 kills and 16 digs. Jacqueline Kupeli had a team-high 17 digs and Katie Goyette had 12. Goyette also totaled 24 assists and Daryl Mitchell led the team with 26.

"We were down a few starters tonight and a couple of players got hurt during the match," Brown revealed. "But, we will re-focus and rest for our Senior Day match on Saturday in front of a great croowd." 

The Violets return to action when they host Hunter College this Saturday, October 20, at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility. It will be their final home contest of the season and NYU's four seniors (Goyette, Mitchell, Annie Singh, Waldon) will be honored in a pre-match ceremony.