The New York University women's volleyball team captured the 2019 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III title, winning a pair of matches on Sunday, November 17, at Marywood University in Scranton, PA.

After earning a first-round bye and defeating host Marywood in Saturday's quarterfinal, the Violets (28-8) knocked off Misericordia University in the semifinals and then McDaniel College in the Championship Final, both on Sunday. NYU defeated the Cougars in straight sets (25-17, 25-20, 25-18) and the Green Terror in four sets (25-21, 17-25, 25-22, 25-14) to win the ECAC Championship for the second consecutive season.

"It was a great team effort today to adjust to adversity in both matches," explained Head Coach Andrew Brown. .

Against Misericordia (22-18), Abby Ausmus (San Diego, CA/La Jolla Country Day School) led the way for NYU with 10 kills and five blocks. Nicole Dao (Bethesda, MD/The Academy of Holy Cross) dished out 15 assists in the three-set match, while Jacqueline Kupeli and Lauren Robinson (Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) finished with a team-best seven digs. Gretchen Kincade (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Ramapo) added six kills, three blocks and three service aces.

In the Championship Match against McDaniel (16-14), the deciding third set was tied 20-20 when consecutive kills by Dao and Haley Holz (Palatine, IL /Palatine) gave the Violets a lead they wouldn't relinquish. 

In the final set, NYU scored the first three points and never trailed en route to the victory.

"In the second set, McDaniel put together an incredible offensive effort and I think our team did a good job at battling point-for-point in the third set," Brown revealed. "We really came together at the end when the score was tied and from there on out we supported each other's effort and success which willed us the set win.

"The fourth set was about making a statement and showing what we are capable of achieving as a team and is something we will continue to build on this off-season," Brown continued. 

Dao was named MVP of the Championship, while she, Holz and Ausmus were named to the All-Tournament Team. 

"We had tremendous senior leadership all season long and it's amazing to see them end their last two seasons achieving 50 wins and two championships," Brown said.