For the third time in its five matches this season, the New York University men's volleyball team was extended to five sets. And, just like the first two times, Friday's night's match with Vassar College resulted in a loss.

Competing in the Hall of Fame Classic hosted by Springfield College in Springfield, MA, this weekend, the Violets dropped a five-set match to the Brewers on Friday night, February 1, by scores of 18-25, 25-19, 25-13, 17-25, 16-14.

The Violets (1-4) owned three two-point leads in the deciding set, but could not hold on.

"Our young men really competed tonight, but we keep falling a bit short in game fives," said Head Coach Jose Pina. "I believe we're playing a bit too tight, and once the guys relax a bit more we will get over the hump."

Ahead 12-10, Vassar (4-1) managed three straight points. The Violets immediately tied the set following a Brewer error, then again at 14-14 on a kill by Tyler Flood. However, two straight kills by their opponents and the Violets again fell short.

NYU had rebounded from a 2-1 deficit to even the match and send it into the tie-breaking set. Knotted at  8-8 in that fourth set, another Flood kill snapped the tie and the Violets never surrendered the lead. 

However, they could not maintain the momentum all the way through set five. 

"We'll keep working in the gym and putting them in situations that will get them to play more relaxed in these situations," Pina explained.

Evan Lindley led NYU with 14 kills and eight digs.  Matin Bikdeli was the team leader with 32 assists. Alex Li contributed seven kills and four service aces.  

The Violets return to action tomorrow for their second match of the Hall of Fame Classic. They will face Marymount University (VA) at 6:00pm on Saturday.