New York University
New York, NY
Webpage | Roster | Schedule/Results | Stats
The New York University women’s volleyball team makes its sixth tournament appearance in its eighth year under the tutelage of head coach Ed Caesar. Sporting a 28-9 record, the Violets enter the NCAA Tournament coming off a fourth-place finish at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship. It was NYU's best UAA finish, as well as its best overall record, since 2006 when the Violets last went to the NCAA Tournament.
The Violets' return to the field of 62 was prompted by a resurgent offense led by freshman middle blocker and three-time UAA Athlete of the Week #Kendyl Dunn# who leads the team with 488 kills (3.90 k/s) and a .384 hitting percentage, good enough for 24th and 11th in Division III respectively. She also leads the Violets with 104 total blocks (0.83 b/s). Sophomore captain #Elizabeth Dick# also provided a spark on offense for NYU, tallying 314 kills (2.47 k/s) on the season. She's also contributing on the back line with 419 digs (3.30 d/s), good enough for second on the team.
Sophomore setter #Mina Baban# has also put together a strong all-around season, leading the team with 1,192 assists (10.02 a/s) which puts her at 38th among all Division III setters. Baban’s setting has also led the Violets to the 11th-highest kills per set total in the nation at 13.23. Beyond her setting duties, Baban has improved in every major statistical category from last season including a .316 hitting percentage and 45 service aces.
On defense, strong blocking along with a stellar back line has helped NYU hold opponents to a .123 hitting percentage, the lowest the team has allowed since 2006. During the 2009 season, junior #Rachel Sawyer# set the NYU rally-scoring career digs record and now sits at 1,292 for her career, including a personal-best 456 this season. Sawyer has also added a team- and career-best 64 service aces.
The Violets look to improve upon Caesar's 12-5 career NCAA Tournament record, which includes two trips to the Final Four and a spot in the 2003 National Championship match. NYU takes on the Polytechnic Institute of NYU in the first round. The two teams faced off in the Violets’ second match of the season with NYU prevailing 3-0.
