The New York University women's fencing team competed for the first time under new Head Coach Ben Bratton at the Temple University Open in Philadelphia, PA, on Saturday, October 29.

There was no team scoring at the event, where individual pool play in each weapon determines seeding for a single elimination competition.

Freshman Sophia Dondisch advanced the furthest for the Violets on Saturday. After posting a near-perfect 7-1 record in epee pool play, she advanced two rounds in single elimination before being defeated in the Round of 32.

"This is a unique event where the pool play is competed in regular five-touch bouts whereas the direct elimination goes to 15 points," Bratton explained. "Sophia's performance in pool play was the type of competition she will face during the season, and she was very impressive."
    
Sophomore Sharon Ni was the other NYU fencer to advance in the elimination competition. She defeated Felicia Ye of Swarthmore College in the Round of 64 before falling to Northwestern University's Megumi Oishi.

"Sharon showed a ton of resilience and effort," Bratton said. "She left it all out there."

Five Violets fenced in the foil competition, but did not advance past the first round of direct elimination. Junior Polly Adler was the most successful in pool play, going 5-3.

"My expectation for today was met in that all of our fencers gave it everything they had on the strip," Bratton added. "Today's results may not show it, but things will sort themselves out as we get into team competitions."

The Violets' next competition will be at the Sacred Heart Invitational on Sunday, December 4, in Fairfield, CT.