In a five-set battle at the John A. Paulson Center, the #3-ranked New York University women's volleyball team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Bowdoin College on Sunday, September 8, in Manhattan. 

In a back-and-fourth first set, there were nine ties and a pair of lead changes. Trailing for much of the set, the Violets did not take their first lead until four straight points gave them a 16-15 edge. With NYU leading 19-17 moments later, the Polar Bears scored five of the next six points and never looked back, eventually clinching a 25-22 set win. 

The Violets bounced back in the following set, as they took a 4-3 advantage to begin the stanza and did not trail for the remainder of the set. Though NYU extended its lead to as much as 20-12, a 5-2 Bowdoin run cut the deficit to five. However, the Violets comfortably closed out the set 25-19, punctuated by a Jessica Spierenburg kill.

Once again playing from behind, NYU found itself down 16-9 in the middle of the third set, but responded with a 8-2 run highlighted by three Grace Nelson kills. After tying the set 20-20, the Violets scored five of the final six points to take a 2-1 set lead. Chloe Lemons finished the frame with back-to-back kills. 

The Polar Bears stayed in front for the entirety of the fourth set, growing their lead to as much as 17-10. Despite a 5-0 NYU run in response, Bowdoin hung on to a 25-20 set win to force a decisive fifth set.

Neither team led by more than two points in the final set which featured 10 ties and nine lead changes. After a kill by Coco Barton gave the Violets a 13-12 edge, the Polar Bears scored three straight points to win the match.

Despite the loss, Nelson tied a career-best with 23 kills and added 13 digs. Alden Roberts dished out 23 assists while Yooni Park collected 18 digs. 

The Violets return to action at home against William Paterson University on Saturday, September 14, at 12:30pm.