From NYU Athletics
For the second consecutive season, the New York University volleyball team has advanced to the regional final of the NCAA Division III tournament.
The eighth-ranked Violets are one of 16 teams still remaining in the tournament after defeating Salisbury University in five sets 25-10, 21-25, 25-16, 18-25, 15-12 on Friday, November 11, at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.
After sweeping Westfield State University in the opening round on Thursday, NYU was severely tested by the Seagulls on Friday.
The Violets got off to strong start in the match, scoring the first three points of the opening set and never trailing. NYU led 14-9 before going on a 6-0 run and ending the first set on an 11-1 barrage.
The second set was much more competitive. Salisbury scored the first three points and raced out to a 15-11 advantage. The Seagulls were still ahead by four, 18-14, but the Violets pulled even at 19-19. However, NYU could not take a lead as Salisbury went on to capture the second set.
"Salisbury settled into the match after the first set and it became a back and forth battle after that," said Head Coach Andrew Brown.
A 4-0 start for NYU in the third set quickly shifted the momentum. The Violets increased their advantage to five points at 6-1, but the Seagulls' 9-2 run gave them the lead and temporarily reversed the momentum. However, trailing 11-10, NYU went on a 5-0 run to recapture a lead they would not relinquish.
The fourth set began similarly to the second as Salisbury charged out of the gate and took an early four-point lead. Their advantage stretched to six at 16-10, but the Violets' 4-0 run got them within two. However, NYU was not able to get any closer as the match headed into a fifth and deciding set.
NYU was able to stave off any lingering doubts early in the final set by scoring the first three points and holding the lead throughout. The Violets were ahead 8-2, but the Seagulls did not fly away. Instead, they hung in and pulled within two at 13-11. But, after a Salisbury service error and kill, Haley Holz' kill secured the match and guaranteed NYU a return to the Regional Final.
"I think our team did a good job of resetting in that fifth set given the environment," Brown explained. "We've been in that environment multiple times this season due to our strength of schedule and it gives us the abilty to start off strong."
Holz led the Violets with 13 kills, with Olivia Lewandowski adding 11 along with four service aces. Leela Anvekar and Gabriella Spaethling each had eight kills.
Lindsey Hirano, who continues to add on to her NYU season digs record, finished with a match-high 29 while both Dominique Drust and Ava Launsbach had 10. Drust (21) and Launsbach (18) also recorded double-digit assists.
"The team is looking forward to being back at the regional final with a new opportunity," Brown added.