From NYU Athletics

The New York University women's volleyball team recorded a decisive victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in a quarterfinal match of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Championship on Saturday evening, November 12, in Annville, PA

In a match hosted by Lebanon Valley College, the Violets (18-16) scored early and often in defeating the Devils (17-15) by scores of 25-16, 25-11, 25-15.

The victory advances NYU to Sunday's semifinal round, where the Violets will face Swarthmore College (25-5). In the other semifinal, Marymount College (25-8) faces Emerson College (19-11).

The two semifinal winners will play for the ECAC Championship at 5:00 pm tomorrow.        

It was all Violets on Saturday in their matchup with FDU-Florham. NYU scored the first three points of the opening set. The Devils did manage to forge a tie at 14-14, but NYU ended with an 11-2 run to claim the set.

"I think we were a little bit nervous at the start of the match," said Head Coach Jolie Ward. "Once we settled down and got comfortable, we found our stride and were sucessful."

FDU-Florham did score the first point of the second set, but that proved to be their only lead. The Violets were ahead 14-10 when they embarked on a 9-0 streak to clinch the middle set.

The third set was tied 12-12 when NYU scored the next two points and never relinquished the lead. A slight 14-13 NYU advantage turned into a bulging 24-14 lead following a 10-1 run. A FDU-Florham point delayed the inevitable, but a ball-handling error followed and the Violets walked off the court winners.

NET GAINS:

- Rayne Ellis and Gretchen Cash each recorded eight kills to lead the Violets.  Ellis committed only one error and posted a .500 hitting percentage.  

- Katie Goyette had a match-high 22 assists for NYU.

- Grace Napolitano led all players with 15 digs.

"I'm glad we played well and were able to advance," Ward concluded. "But, we expect to have a much more demanding match tomorrow."