The #13-ranked New York University women's volleyball team won in four sets against Smith College on Friday, October 4, at the John A. Paulson Center on Manhattan.

The Violets defeated the Pioneers 25-27, 25-19, 25-20, 25-14 and are now 11-6. 

"This week in practice we focused on the little things because we feel with a more collective approach to everything we're doing, it will allow us to battle through those tough adversity moments and matches," said Head Coach Andrew Brown. "And, today was a great example. Our mental switch between sets one and two really showed how much we've been focusing on doing everything together."

NYU fell behind 11-5 in the first set, but recorded 11 points in a row to take a 16-11 lead. Smith cut the deficit to two points, but the Violets extended their lead back to six at 23-17. A seven-point Pioneers' streak put them ahead, 24-23, but Coco Barton was able to tie the game up. However, Smith persevered to take the first set 27-25. 

The Violets found themselves down 13-8 early in the second set, but five consecutive points tied the frame. The Violets then pulled two points ahead at 16-14 and held the lead for the rest of the set. Smith came as close as four points, but a Chloe Hynes kill, a Yooni Park service ace and a Pioneers attack error won NYU the set, 25-19.

The Violets broke a 5-5 tie in the third set with six successive points to take the lead. Though the Pioneers did cut the deficit to 19-17, the Violets never fell behind. Grace Nelson notched a kill and a service ace to restore a four-point lead, and a Smith error clinched the set for NYU at 25-20.

Smith led 11-9 in the fourth set, but a 5-0 run put the Violets up 14-11. Another 6-1 run for the Violets extended their lead to eight points at 20-12. Barton then delivered a kill and was followed by two Nelson aces as NYU went on to clinch the match 25-14.

Nelson had another excellent match, registering 14 kills and six service aces, both good for match-highs. Hynes followed with 12 kills, while setter Dominique Drust put up 20 assists.

"Chloe Lemons and Grace Nelson did a great job as pins, and to have the productivity from our middles and our right sides created a well-balanced offense," Brown explained. 

The Violets face Trinity University (Texas) and Ithaca College in a double-header at the Paulson Center tomorrow at 10:30am and 3:30pm, respectively.