The New York University men's volleyball team dropped a five-set United Volleyball Conference (UVC) semifinal match to top-seeded and host Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday, April 14, at the Sportsplex in Manhattan. Stevens took the match 29-31, 25-19, 25-17, 19-25, 15-12.

The Ducks improved to 24-4 this season, while fourth-seeded NYU's record now stands at 16-9.

NYU won a wild, back-and-forth first set that saw neither squad lead by more than two points. The Violets fought off four set points for Stevens and eventually took the frame 31-29 on a kill from Alex Li.

Stevens battled back taking the second and third sets in decisive fashion. The Ducks went ahead early in each set and were never really threatened as they took a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth set was close early, before an NYU run turned a 12-11 lead into a much more comfortable 17-12 advantage. From there, the Violets remained in front by at least three points and eventually took the frame, 25-19 on a kill from Neil Ferraro to force a winner-takes-all fifth set for a spot in the UVC Championship.

NYU appeared to be in control of the fifth set as it scored the first three points and maintained a lead until the Ducks tied it at 7-7. Stevens took its first lead of the set at 12-11 and held on to take the frame 15-12 and the match 3-2.

"It was another tough battle with a great Stevens team," said Head Coach Jose Pina. "They just played a little cleaner than us in the final set."

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

- Li (match-high-tying 18) and Ferarro (11) each tallied double-digit kills.

- Ferraro led all players with six blocks. 

- Matin Bikdeli dished out a match-best 43 assists.

Saturday's match concludes the season for NYU.

"I am especially proud of how our two seniors played in their final match," concluded Pina. "As a team, we overcame a lot and made a great deal of progress this season. This bodes well for our future."