The New York University women's volleyball team played its final two matches at the NY Region Challenge on Saturday, October 27, in Rochester, NY. The Violets played host Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the first match and then Buffalo State College in the second.

Against the host Tigers in the first match, the Violets fell behind early and could not catch up, falling in four sets (25-22, 25-21, 24-26, 25-19). However, it was a different story in the second match as NYU blitzed its opponent in straight sets (25-12, 25-12, 25-11). 

NYU led by five points in the first set of the opening match and was never in front in set two. In the Violets' only victory, they trailed by four points early, but rebounded to take a late lead. Then, with the score tied 24-24, consecutive kills by Nazzerine Waldon and Julia Passante gave the Violets their only victory of the match. 

In the final set, NYU fell behind by eight, 18-10, but rallied by scoring the next seven points. However, the Violets were never able to grab the lead from the Tigers.

"We unfortunately weren't at full strength going into today with some injuries. The team made good adjustments but ran a little bit out of gas at the end of sets," revealed Head Coach Andrew Brown. "We need to continue to invest in our individual and team goals, to push through in tough moments. Taking more risks to earn set victories will be key in our match-ups next weekend at the UAA (University Athletic Association) Championship."

Waldon (15), who was named to the All-Tournament Team, and Emily Kleck (10) each recorded double-digit kills. Waldon added 10 digs while Jacqueline Kupeli had a team-high 21. Daryl Mitchell (16) and Katie Goyette (15) contributed double-digit assists.

The second match was no contest as the Violets never trailed in either of the first two sets. Buffalo State did take a 3-0 lead in the final set, but NYU countered with the next six points and never trailed again.      

Gretchen Kincade and Maddie deJong each had a team-high eight kills. Mitchell (18) and Goyette (14) again recorded double-digit assists. Kupeli totaled 14 digs and Waldon added 11.

"In the second match we stayed focused and played our style of volleyball," Brown explained.

The Violets, who also split their matches on Friday, return to Rochester next weekend for the UAA Championship, which will be hosted by the University of Rochester on Friday and Saturday, November 2-3. .