The #9-ranked New York University men's volleyball team swept #17-ranked Nazareth University on Saturday, April 13, in the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Championship semifinal hosted by Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. 
 
The Violets advance to play top-seeded and host #8-ranked Vassar in the UVC final on Sunday. 
 
The Violets (17-7) defeated the Golden Flyers (20-10) in straight sets: 25-16, 25-19, 25-23.
 
"It was a well-played match by our young men," said Head Coach Jose Pina. "We came in with the attitude of this being the most important match of our season and were able to remain focused throughout. Today, our wing hitters had excellent attacking sets and led us to victory. Our defensive work at the net contributed greatly as well."
 
NYU broke a 5-5 tie early in the first set with a three-point run featuring kills from Lucas Osiecki and Luke Boyer. The Violets extended their lead to eight at 21-13 following a four-point streak highlighted by two kills from Emerson Evans and one from Osiecki.
 
A Buddy Cohen kill ended the first set. 
 
The Violets jumped to a 10-5 lead in the second set through multiple three-point streaks and never fell behind. NYU went on to post several five-point leads and produced one four-point run capped by two Boyer kills.
 
Osiecki's kill accounted for the final point and put the Violets up 2-0.
 
Nazareth led 6-3 in the final set, scoring three in a row. However, the Violets responded with their own three-point streak. The Golden Flyers broke a 7-7 tie with another three-point run and went further ahead 12-8. The Violets tied the score at 12-12 with another run, capped by Evans' kill. Another Violets' three-point streak gave them an 18-15 lead, which they held for good.
 
Nazareth came within one at 22-21, but Osiecki notched two more kills and Evans added the final one to clinch the match.
 
The trio of Osiecki, Boyer and Evans registered 11 kills each, while Osiecki contributed a match-high 12 digs. Another trio of Evans, Devyn Nguyen and Zach Knudsen had eight digs each.
 
Nguyen added to that performance with a match-high 31 assists. 
 
"We now have a chance to qualify for the NCAA Tournament based on the outcome of tomorrow's match and what happens in other conferences," Pina added. "So, we'll come back with the same focus and attitude and try to upset Vassar on their home court."
 
The UVC final vs. Vassar is set for tomorrow, April 14, at 2:00pm in Poughkeepsie, NY, with an automatic bid to the NCAA DIII Championship Tournament on the line.