The 2023 season, which included another University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship and trip to the NCAA Division III Final Four, came to end as the Violets fell to Juniata College in straight sets on Thursday, November 30, in Claremont, CA

The final score was 25-15, 25-19, 25-20 in favor of the Eagles (34-0), the defending NCAA Champions and winners of 61-straight matches.

"It's disappointing to lose, of course," said Head Coach Andrew Brown. "But, I'm so proud of what we've done and accomplished not only this year but over the last three years."

This was NYU's second consecutive trip to the Final Four and third straight appearance in the Elite 8.

"We had never played Juniata since I've been coaching here," Brown added. "They are a great team and showed that today." 

The Violets never led in the first set as Juniata dominated with a pair of 10-point leads.

It did not get any better for the Violets in the set second set, as the Eagles scored the first four points before a Grace Nelson kill put NYU on the scoreboard. It was quickly followed by a Haley Holz kill and a successful combo block from Holz and Leela Anvekar as the Violets pulled within a point. 

NYU was still within a point at 10-9, but Juniata scored the next two and went on to take a six-point lead.

Consecutive kills by Holz and Nelson and a block by Nelson and Elise Curtin brought the Violets within three, but they could not get any closer in dropping the second set.

The Violets took their first lead of the match by scoring the first two points of the third set. However, the Eagles quickly rebounded to take the next four. 

After three ties, the Eagles took the lead for good. Juniata's advantage grew to as many as six points. A last push brought NYU within 18-15, but the Eagles were relentless in keeping their winning streak alive and ending NYU's season. 

Holz finished with a team-high 13 kills, but the Violets only combined to hit .174 while the Eagles registered a .350 hitting percentage. Holz ends her outstanding senior campaign with a team-leading 439 kills and her career with 1,543, the second-highest total in team annals.

"We wanted to win, but it has been the greatest experience playing with my teammates and seeing this team have so much success," Holz explained. "I wouldn't trade this for anything."

Ava Launsbach led the Violets with 12 assists. 

Lindsey Hirano's 15 digs added to her NYU record-holding total of 2,017. Her 687 this season is the second-highest...behind her 807 last season.

"I'm sad that I won't be playing with our seniors again next year," said Hirano, referring to Holz, Chloe Hum and Ella Weider. "We been together for the last three years and they will be my best friends forever."

The Violets ended the season with a 33-5 record and their second UAA Championship in three years.