The atmosphere was electric. The fans were loud. The competition was intense.
Welcome Back!
The New York University women's volleyball team officially opened the brand new John A. Paulson Center by hosting Ithaca College on Friday, September 1, in Manhattan.
The outcome did not fit the script, however, as the Violets fell to the visiting Ithaca College Bombers in four sets.
But, that didn't entirely detract from the event.
"It was a fantastic atmosphere. I've been waiting to play in this gym since I was a freshman," said senior captain
Haley Holz. "Having that many people in the crowd and to feel all that love and support from NYU was really special."
The first set brought with it all the drama of the day. Both teams held leads, and it wasn't decided until the Bombers captured the last two points and secured a 29-27 victory.
The second set was not as dramatic, with Ithaca getting ahead early and cruising to a 25-17 win.
The
#4-ranked Violets were not yet ready to let the festivities end, coming back to extend the match with a 25-19 victory in set three.
However, despite taking several one-point leads in the final set, NYU could not continue the comeback. With the score tied 20-20, a pair of Ithaca kills ignited a 5-0 match-ending run which closed the doors on the opener.
Freshman
Grace Nelson led the Violets with 20 kills in her collegiate debut. Holz added 13 as NYU finished with a 51-46 advantage in that category.
Junior Lindsay Hirano (23) and Holz (11) each had double-digit digs, while junior
Leela Anvekar and graduate student
Camille Nazor shared team-high honors with three blocks..
"It was incredible. Our first time walking in here playing we were shocked," Anvekar said. "So much going on, maybe our nerves got the best of us today. We probably made more errors than we should have, but tomorrow is another day and I think we'll come out strong."
The Violets will have two opportunities to put the opening loss behind them as the NYU Season Opener Weekend continues on Saturday with home matches against both MIllikin University (12:30pm) and Kean University (5:30pm) at the Paulson Center.
