From NYU Athletics

The New York University volleyball team battled back from a 2-0 deficit on Friday, September 16, and defeated the State University of New York at Oneonta 3-2. The five-set thriller was the first of three matches NYU will play this weekend at the Ducks Classic hosted by the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ.

"Every time we went down, we were able to get key contributions from multiple players," said NYU Head Coach Jolie Ward. "It was quite the match and I'm very happy we pulled it out."

Oneonta won the first two sets 25-21 and 25-18, respectively, before the Violets began their comeback.

The Red Dragons scored the first six points of the third set, but NYU was able to battle back using a 7-2 run midway through the set to get back in it. With the frame tied at 20 apiece, the Violets scored four of five points to go ahead 24-21 en route to a 25-23 third set victory.

In the fourth set, NYU once again fell behind early as Oneonta raced out to an 8-2 lead. The Violets were able to gain their composure and scored seven points in a row after trailing 15-13 to take a 20-15 lead and ultimately win the frame 25-21.

The fifth and final set was also close throughout as neither team led by more than three points. With the Red Dragons leading 11-8, NYU scored four straight to go ahead 12-11. Oneonta then retook the lead at 14-13, 15-14 and 16-15, before NYU scored the final three points of the set to win 18-16 and improve its record to 7-3.

Inside the Box Score:

- Shelby King led the Violets with 14 kills, while teammate Gretchen Cash added 10.

- Katie Goyette (28) and Daryl Mitchell (17) combined for 45 assists. 

"Daryl came in during the fifth set and helped control the system, while adding a much-needed blocking component," added Ward.

- Stephanie Mao (18), Grace Napolitano (15) and King (14) all recorded double-digit kills for the Violets.