The New York University men's volleyball team fell 3-0 to Vassar College on Wednesday, February 21, in Poughkeepsie, NY. 

The 14th-ranked Violets lost 25-17, 25-23, 25-13 to the 10th-ranked Brewers in the Violets' first United Volleyball Conference (UVC) game of the season.

"We had an uneven performance tonight. Our service reception was under pressure by their serve most of the night. That made our offense quite predictable and led to the loss," said head coach José Piña. "On the positive side, we had a really strong comeback in the second set after falling behind towards the middle."

The Violets scored four unanswered points early in the first set to take the lead at 5-4, but both teams traded points to tie the score 8-8. The Brewers took the lead with two NYU errors and did not let go. 

Both teams again exchanged points, and the Violets came closest to closing the gap at 19-17, but six consecutive points from the Brewers won them the first set.

NYU took the lead three times early in the second, but Vassar closed a three-point gap at 6-3 to tie the set. Both teams traded a point each before Vassar scored four uninterrupted to take the lead at 11-7. 

Lucas Osiecki recorded three kills in a row to bring the Violets within one point at 12-11, but they were unable to tie the score for the rest of the frame. 

The second remained competitive as NYU was never more than four points behind after three Brewers kills made the score 22-18.

Ry Kagan and Luke Boyer produced a kill each, as NYU tried to level the score at 24-23, but one more Brewer kill put Vassar at match point.

The Violets scored the opener in the third set, but Vassar then scored four in a row. Both teams continued trading points, as NYU was never more than three points behind, but another Brewers scoring run put them ahead 12-6. 

Unable to find any momentum in the period, NYU fell to a seven-point gap at 12-19. The Brewers scored five points in succession to take the lead at 24-12 and won the match through a Violet service error. 

Osiecki, Boyer, and Kagan recorded six kills each, as Boyer remains top of the charts. Kagan recorded three total blocks as well, a match-high. Devyn Nguyen had a match-high 22 assists and recorded seven digs.

"Our middle hitters continue to play well. Ry Kagan had another outstanding night. It's something he's been doing all year long. But Vassar was able to serve extremely well and make our pin hitters have a hard time attacking the ball," Piña added.  

"We get back to it on Saturday, where we will have a strong response to the tough stretch we've been in lately."

The Violets look to return to winning ways against Arcadia University this Saturday, February 24, in Glenside, PA.