Five New York University varsity teams open their 2025-26 season this weekend.

Following a 2024-25 academic year in which NYU finished #8 in the Learfield Directors' Cup Standings, another season of high expectations await, as four of the teams competing this weekend enter the campaign nationally ranked.

The Violets' women's volleyball team will be first in action when they face Millikin University at 12pm (central) on Friday. The Violets, who enter the season ranked #23 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), return Honorable Mention All-American Grace Nelson and University Athletic Association (UAA) Rookie of the Year Chloe Hynes from last year's 22-13 squad which advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

"The team has been working extremely hard this preseason in all aspects of the game, including practice, lift, scrimmages, and off the court with team bonding," revealed Head Coach Andrew Brown. "We have great depth this season and our veterans have all returned locked in and playing where we left off last year. The new players have seemingly slid right in and are already showing great signs of confidence and transition into our systems. We are looking forward to a tough weekend and going out as a team and showcasing our talent and hard work thus far."

The men's soccer team begins NYU's home slate by hosting Rowan University at 3pm on Friday at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, NJ. Returnees include goalkeeper Jackson McCloskey, who led the UAA with 4.40 saves per game in 2024, and midfielder Terra Nagai, who finished third on the team with four goals and will serve as a captain in 2025. 

"With 16 new players joining our program, this preseason has been about building connections and laying the foundation for who we want to be," explained Head Coach Kim Wyant. "The energy, commitment, and willingness to push each other every day has been impressive. We still have work to do, but I'm encouraged by the way this group is quickly buying into our identity and standards. I'm excited to see what this group will put together on the field."

The women's team takes to the pitch at 6pm on Friday, facing Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. After posting a 12-3-6 record and landing in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last year, the Violets enter the '25 campaign ranked #17 by United Soccer Coaches. Rena Kalargiros, NYU's second-leading goal scorer (6) from a year ago, will serve as a team captain along with fellow seniors Elizabeth Argenziano, Hunter Hoelscher and Yukino Wakatsuki.  

"After reaching the Sweet 16 last season, we turn the page to a new chapter with a fresh and talented group," said Head Coach Scott Waddell. "While we graduated an impactful senior class, we welcome 13 newcomers who bring energy, quality, and ambition to our program. The foundation of our culture remains the same, and we're excited to see how this team grows together and forges its own identity."

Closing out activity on Friday evening will be NYU's men's and women's cross country squads, which will be split between the Vassar Season Starter in Poughkeepsie, NY, and the USC Upstate Eye Opener in Spartanburg, SC. Both squads finished top-five at their respective NCAA Championships last season (the women were 4th, the men 5th), the best combined showing of any Division III institution. All-Americans Janie Cooper and Lucy Gott return to the women's team, while NCAA All-Niagara Region honorees Jeffrey Chen, Liam Hagerty, Shaurya Srivastava, and Andrew Taylor are back for the men.   

The Violet women enter the 2025 season ranked #4 nationally and #1 regionally by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), while the men are #2 in the region and #12 nationally. 

"We are incredibly excited for what is in store this fall," said Associate Head Coach Nic Jacobsen. "We return great squads from both our men's and women's teams that finished in the top-5 nationally last year. Our freshmen groups are among the most talented and decorated in Division III and should provide some impact scorers for us. Key transfers on both sides will also infuse great depth to the team. After a great summer of base-building, we are looking forward to the transition into racing and preparing for the season ahead."

So, let the games begin.....