The New York University women's volleyball team hosted Hunter College on Senior Day at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility in Brooklyn, NY, on Saturday, October 20. 

Playing their second consecutive five-set match, the Violets (15-12) defeated the Hawks (18-7) by scores of 19-25, 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 16-14 in their final home match of the season.

NYU fell behind quickly in the first set 6-1, but rallied to pull within one, 10-9, on a kill by Annie Singh. However, that was as close as the Violets would get as they dropped the opening set.

The Violets took their first lead of the afternoon by scoring the first point of the second set and increased it to as many as seven points, 15-8. Hunter then put together an ensuing 8-0 run to take the lead. NYU briefly reclaimed a one-point advantage, but fell behind by three, 23-20. However, the Violets did not allow another point, ending the set on a 5-0 run culminating on consecutive kills by Maddie DeJong.   

Hunter opened the third set by scoring the first point and extending its lead to 9-5. The Violets knotted the score at 11-11 and went on to take its first lead of the set, 13-12, before expanding it to 16-12 and then to 20-15. Hunter rallied to pull within one, 22-21, but a pair of Hunter attack errors and a kill by Nazzerine Waldon allowed the Violets to hold on and grab the third set. 

In a tight fourth set, neither team led by more than two early on. But, with the score knotted at 12-12, the Hawks scored the next four points and went up five, 19-14. The Violets clawed their way back and pulled even at 21-21. Still tied at 23-23, a Hunter kill and NYU attack error gave the visitors the set and evened the match 2-2. 

The Hawks raced out to a 3-0 lead in the final set, but NYU caught up at 5-5. Many ties ensued, with the Violets never able to grab the lead. Then, at 13-13, NYU took its first lead, but Hunter came right back to tie. Next, it was Abby Ausmus putting NYU up 15-14 with a kill. Then, with Lauren Robinson serving for the match, a long final point was ended when Waldon's kill concluded the hotly-contested match.

"We just really wanted this. I wanted it so much for our players who have worked so hard," said Head Coach Andrew Brown. "It was a great match....just like a chess match. You really had to think one play ahead and try to counter their moves. It was a terrific match and just a great win."   

Waldon finished with team highs of 13 kills and 17 digs. Gretchen Kincade (11) and Sabrina Krebs (10) also had double-digit kills. Daryl Mitchell (25) and Veronica Johnson (15) led the team in assists. Jacqueline Kupeli had 14 digs and Mitchell added 13.

Seniors Waldon, Mitchell, Singh, and Katie Goyette were honored in a pre-match ceremony.

The Violets return to the court next weekend when they compete at the New York Region Challenge in Rochester, NY. The Violets open play on Friday, October 26, when they face Fredonia College at 5pm and host Nazareth College at 7pm.