The New York University women's volleyball team won its NCAA opening round matchup against William Smith College in four sets on Thursday, November 21, in Cambridge, MA. 

"We did a really good job at being the aggressor and playing with a lot of confidence," said Head Coach Andrew Brown. "When [William Smith] went on their runs, we really focused on each other and used that support to build out of those runs and then cause our own runs to close out sets."

After losing the first point of the opening set, the Violets scored three straight points and did not trail for the remainder of the frame. However, the Herons did remain in striking distance, staying within five for the entire stanza. The set saw four ties, including at 19-19, after which NYU won the next five rallies to bring up set point. Though William Smith staved off three set points, Chloe Lemons delivered a kill from the opposite side to clinch the set. 

In another closely contested frame, the Violets got out to a 10-6 advantage in the second set, but the Herons answered with a 5-0 run to take a one-point edge. NYU then won five of the next six rallies to jump back on top before William Smith came right back with a 5-1 run of its own to re-take the lead. With the Violets later up 22-20, the Herons claimed the final five points of the stanza to take the set. 

NYU led for the entirety of the third stanza, starting off with a 5-2 advantage. Up 10-6, the Violets scored four straight points to grow their lead to eight. In that span, Ava Launsbach landed three serving aces. Though the Herons cut the deficit to five, down 16-11, NYU closed out the set on a 9-4 run. 

The Violets continued their dominance into the fourth frame, getting out to an 11-3 lead to begin. With the Herons unable to close the gap to less than six, NYU clinched the match with a 25-15 set win. 

Chloe Hynes put down 12 kills on a .476 hitting percentage. Ava Launsbach posted 23 assists while Yooni Park collected 25 digs. 

"Once we found our rhythm, we were able to play more as a unit," explained Park. "Towards the end, I think it was a little more fun."

NYU will next face the winner between Maine Maritime Academy and host Massachussets Institute of Technology in the second round, tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Cambridge, MA.