Facing the same team that had eliminated them in last year's NCAA Tournament, the New York University women's volleyball team was working towards a different result in 2022.
But, despite taking the first set from Trinity (TX) University, the Violets could not sustain their momentum and fell in four sets to the Tigers on Thursday, November 17, at the UPMC Cooper Field House in Pittsburgh, PA.
Appearing in their first NCAA Final Four since 2004, NYU grabbed the first set 25-21, but was unable to take another in dropping the next three by scores of 25-15, 25-19 and 25-21.
The teams had met in the Regional Final in 2021 with Trinity winning that matchup by an identical 3-1 score.
"We came out really strong with our game plan and put Trinity on their heels," Head Coach
Andrew Brown explained. "But they made adjustments and it became a bit more of a chess match after the first set. They stayed poised in high-pressure situations just like our team did. It just came down to a few short runs here and there."
The Violets took control of the opening set from the start, scoring the first two points and gliding to an 8-1 advantage. The lead ballooned to nine points, 21-12. But, Trinity rallied and pulled within two at 22-20. A pair of
Ella Weider kills followed and
Olivia Lewandowski's kill clinched the opening set.
It was a complete turnaround in the second set. Though NYU led 2-1, Trinity immediately followed with an 8-0 run and held the lead the rest of the way. The Tigers' lead grew to as many as 13 points at 24-11. The Violets scored the next four points before the set ended on Lewandowski's service error.
NYU led the pivotal third set 8-7, but a 7-0 run by Trinity put them ahead for good. The Violets pulled within one point, 14-13, but the Tigers responded by scoring the next two points and maintaining the lead. Then, when the Violets got to within 19-17, a 3-0 spurt by the Tigers gave them some breathing room and they then put the set away on a service ace by Marisa Amarino.
"At no point did I not feel we were right there with them and deserved this opportunity," Brown said.
The Violets led early in the final set, increasing their advantage to 16-8. But, the Tigers roared back by scoring the next seven points to pull within one. A kill by
Gabriella Spaethling stopped the bleeding, but Trinity's 4-0 run immediately followed.
NYU managed to tie the match at 21-21, but that was it for their scoring as the Tigers tallied the last four points to settle the match and move on to Saturday's National Championship Match.
"It's always tough playing the same team two times and losing two times. I can't cover that up," Spaethling said. "They're a great team, but we left everything out on the court."
Haley Holz led the Violets' attack with 14 kills, while Lewandowski (13) and Spaethling (10) each totaled double-digits.
Lindsey Hirano (33) and
Dominique Drust (11) each had double-digit kills.
Ava Launsbach (27) and Drust (15) led the team in assists.
"We're super happy at how far we went this year and how far we've grown as a program," Holz said. "While it's sad to lose to them again we're proud that we took another step this season and can do even better next year."
Hirano finished the campaign with an NYU single-season-record 807 digs, obliterating the old mark of 682 set in 2011.
NYU finished first in the University Athletic Association (UAA) during the regular season and posted an overall record of 29-7. The Violets have an all-time record of 23-12 in their 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three runs to the Final Four.
"This group did a really great job after last season, really making it a mission to be back in a regional final and surpass that as a goal this season," Brown added. "I'm proud of this team and what we've built at this school."
