First-year Head Coach Andrew Brown started his career as a Violet in style as the New York University women's volleyball team swept a pair of matches against Eastern Nazarene College and York College of Pennsylvania at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility on Friday, August 31.

"We've spent a lot of time studying our program since I arrived last winter, figuring out adjustments and trying to re-establish NYU volleyball in both the UAA (University Athletic Association) and nationally," said Brown. "It was great to see the hard work put in by our staff and the student-athletes come to fruition today. You can see it paid off as today's results didn't happen by accident, it happened due to great work ethic and preparation."

Brown's Violets first defeated Eastern Nazarene in straight sets (25-17, 25-23, 25-11), before taking down York in four sets (25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16).

Three different Violets - Abby Ausmus, Nazzerine Waldon and Maddie DeJong - tallied at least nine kills in the season-opening win vs. the Lions. Ausmus, a freshman playing in her first-career collegiate match, attacked at a .714 clip, recording 10 kills on just 14 attempts. 

"It was great to see both our upperclassmen and our newcomers step up in that first match," added Brown. "I think our upperclassmen have done a great job leading and instilling confidence in some of our younger players, and that goes a long way."

The Violets' second match of the day was much closer as the squad had to squeak out a pair of tight victories in the first two sets. NYU trailed 22-19 in the second set before Brown called a timeout and his team rallied to score the final six points of the frame and take a 2-0 lead in the match. After York narrowly won the third set, the Violets raced out to a 12-1 lead in the fourth set and never looked back en route to a 25-16 win. 

Kate Glavan led NYU against York, recording 10 kills, while Ausmus and Sabrina Krebs each chipped in with seven. Daryl Mitchell's 16 assists led the team for the second-straight match, while Stella Alverson dished out 15. 

The Violets return to action on Wednesday, September 5, when they host Stevens Institute of Technology back at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility. First serve is slated for 7pm.