From NYU Athletics

The New York University women's volleyball team traveled to Glassboro, NJ, on Saturday, October 21, to take on a pair of New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) squads at the Rowan University Tri-Meet. 

After a win on Thursday evening against another NJAC foe in Montclair State University, the Violets (7-20) defeated host Rowan (11-15) in four sets on Saturday afternoon before falling to Stockton University (19-8) in straight sets.

"I thought we did a great job overall today," said NYU Acting Head Coach Karl France. "We got better as the match went on against Rowan and competed tough against a quality, regionally-ranked team in Stockton."

The victory against the Profs was tight throughout, as the Violets dropped the opening set 25-20 but rallied to win the next three frames, 25-23, 25-19, 27-25. NYU attacked at a .191 percent clip in the match and recorded season-highs in kills (54), assists (54) and solo blocks (11).

Five of those solo blocks came from senior captain Rayne Ellis, who was a big presence at the net all afternoon, adding a career-high-tying 20 kills. The Violets clinched the match on a solo block, as well, when Kelsey Kraetz blocked a Rowan attack attempt to give NYU its first three-match winning streak of the season.

"I thought we looked great at the end of that match," added France. "It was a good feeling as our blocking and defense started to come together, which in turn helped our offense."

The three-match winning streak came to an end later Saturday afternoon as Stockton defeated NYU 25-20, 25-18, 25-20.

The Violets led 9-5 in the opening set before five-straight Stockton points gave them the lead. The squads went back-and-forth, but a late run from the Ospreys gave them the opening-set victory. In the second set, Stockton jumped out to an 11-6 lead and never looked back en route to the seven-point win. The third and final set was close throughout, but a 5-0 Stockton run put the Ospreys ahead by three, 17-14, and the Violets were unable to get back in front. 

Inside the Box Score:

- Zel Fortson dished out a career-best 33 assists against Rowan, while Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 10.

- Jacqueline Kupeli (19), Grace Napolitano (13) and Kate Glavan (10) all collected double-digit digs vs. the Profs.

- Ellis once again led the Violets in kills against the Ospreys, finishing with 10.

- The Violets attacked at a .046 clip in their second match, while Stockton hit .258.