The #9-ranked New York University men's volleyball team fell to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on Saturday, April 11, in New Paltz, NY in the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Tournament Semifinals. 

After dropping the first two sets, the Violets got back into the match with a set three victory. However, the Engineers clinched the contest in the fourth to win 25-21, 27-25, 22-25, 25-22.

Neither team was able to gain separation  in the opening set before the Engineers pulled away late in the frame. A set that featured nine ties, the score was even at 15-15 at the halfway point. MIT then scored back-to-back points and did not look back.

With the Engineers later ahead 18-17, MIT scored four straight points to go up by five. They went on to take the set 25-21.

NYU controlled much of the the second frame, up 20-16 late in the set. The Engineers stayed within striking distance, though, winning three of the next four points.

After MIT evened the score at 23-23, it then brought up set point at 24-23. The Violets defended it and later again at 25-24, but the Engineers still won the set 27-25. 

In set three, NYU began with an early 4-1 lead that grew to as many as five points. MIT eventually closed the gap to tie at 13-13 and then took a 22-20 edge. The Violets held their nerves to score five unanswered points and take the third, forcing a fourth set. 

NYU continued its momentum into the fourth, up 9-7, before an 11-3 run by the Engineers put MIT ahead for the rest of the evening. The Violets fought back, getting the deficit down to two, 22-20, but the Engineers hung on for a 25-22 set win. 

Emerson Evans collected 20 kills on .306 hitting, while Devyn Nguyen posted a double-double with 32 assists and 15 digs. Bennet Tchaikovsky also tallied 17 digs.

NYU will now look towards the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, scheduled for Monday, April 13, at 10:00am.