Last night was Hunter College’s longest drive back up to the Upper East Side as the NYU Violets avenged last year’s loss against the Hawks in a four set win at Coles Sports Center. The Violets improved their record to 4-3 and held a winning record for the first time this year.
“I think the last two years we’ve had a hard time being mentally prepared for the match-up,” head coach Jolie Ward said. “Our goal was to come back and show that we were more prepared coming into this match.”
The Violets lost to the Hawks at last year’s Tear It Up event, which had snapped NYU’s 19-match home winning streak.
“It was all about revenge,” said junior Alexandria Mao, a captain and outside hitter.
The match began with NYU running a 6-2 offense with setters captain junior Hope Bogle and freshman Emily Moore. Outside hitter sophomore Vera Shulgina gave her team the momentum needed to wrap up the first 25 points while Mao put the set away with her clean swings and uncontested kills. She was NYU’s go-to offensive attacker as the Violets won the first set 25-22.
The second set was rougher on the Violets. After an early timeout where NYU was winning 5-2, the Hawks went on a huge run. Hunter middle blocker Lucia Stosic racked up 11 blocks while Paulina Jobczyk got several of her seven kills in the set. Sophomore Allie Williams tallied some kills, tying the set at 23. The game was tense, and the score was 25-25 when a poor set choice to the middle cost NYU a set they should have easily won.
After a disappointing second set loss, the Violets were determined to win.
“We finally realized we had to come together as a team and play,” Williams said.
“Coach talked to us and said ‘You guys need to get out there and lead,’” Mao said. “Each girl on the court took it upon themselves to pick it up a couple notches.”
NYU came out with lively energy and started the set off with an 11-0 run.
Mao and Williams totaled 14 and 20 kills, respectively. Senior captain libero Kaylee Schanda contributed with a great defensive effort with 17 digs on the night. The Violets ran away with the third set 25-6, and entered the fourth set running a smooth offense.
The night was topped off by an incredible play by Mao in the fourth set, as she dove to keep the ball in play. After a quick reaction from the offense, the Violets were able to win the point and gain momentum to seal the victory.
Overall, the team looked pleased with their win as they performed their post-victory cheer.
“It was a really big statement for the rest of the season,” Mao said.
NYU will travel to Rochester this weekend to partake in the RIT Invitational, their first game is Friday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. against St. Lawrence University.
A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, Sept. 13 print edition. Nico Cantor is a contributing writer. Email him at [email protected].
