From NYU Athletics
The New York University volleyball team evened its 2016 record at 2-2 with a pair of victories on Saturday, September 3, during the second and final day of the NYU Labor Day Invitational held at the Hunter SportsPlex in Manhattan.
NYU opened up play on day two of the Invitational with a three-set sweep against Plattsburgh State University (0-4). The Violets pulled out a 25-23 win in the opening set and came back to win the second set 27-25 after trailing 22-15 and 24-21. NYU dominated the third frame from the beginning, scoring 14 of the first 17 points en route to a 25-13 victory to clinch the match.
"That second set was big for us," said NYU Head Coach Jolie Ward. "We brought in Katie Goyette off the bench and she brought energy and completely changed the rhythm of the match."
The Violets concluded their opening weekend with another three-set victory, this time against Ramapo College. In the opening set, NYU scored the final three points to break a 22-22 tie and went up 1-0. The squad then rolled to a 25-19 win in the second set, before clinching the match with a hard-fought 26-24 victory in the third set.
Highlights vs. Plattsburgh:
- Caroline Rapp led a balanced attack for NYU, finishing with nine kills. Gretchen Cash recorded seven kills on just 12 total attacks (.583 %). Cash was named to the All-Invitational Team for her success in all four matches this weekend.
- Goyette tallied 16 assists to lead the Violets while teammate Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 14. "Goyette was a catalyst and gave us momentum late in the second set that we carried into the third set," added Ward.
- Grace Napolitano finished with a match-best 18 digs.
- Rayne Ellis recorded six blocks, four more than any player on either squad.
Highlights vs. Ramapo:
- Cash led the Violets with nine kills, while Rapp and Ellis each chipped in with eight.
- Goyette dished out a match-best 25 assists.
- Napolitano once again led the match in digs, this time finishing with 21.