Volleyball sweeps Violet Classic

Abbas Shahid, Contributing Writer

The NYU women’s volleyball team secured a 3-0 clean sweep to emerge as the only undefeated squad this weekend at the Violet Classic in the Coles Sports Center.

After winning the three matches against SUNY Oneonta, Sarah Lawrence College and SUNY Potsdam this weekend, the Violets improved their overall record to 11-4, with an exceptional home record of 7-1. The team must continue on this path if it is to make a strong challenge in the NCAA Tournament.

Senior middle blocker Allie Williams said the team needs to become acquainted with its new positions, as well as its new lineup.

“As a team, our main goal is to make NCAA again and to go further than we did last year,” Williams said. “To do that, we need to perform well in our upcoming conference games. We have a lot of starters who are learning new positions, which speaks to our versatility, but is also a huge challenge.”

Williams herself is playing on the right side for the first time this season.

The team beat SUNY Oneonta and Sarah Lawrence in the first two matches of the Classic. Sophomore libero MaTia Hughes picked up 14 digs against Oneonta while senior setter/opposite Katie Robinson and freshman setter Kristine Taves registered six aces against Sarah Lawrence.

“My individual goals include helping the team make adjustments faster on the court based on the opposing side, and expanding my serve receive skills to help create a fortified back line,” Robinson said.

Against SUNY Potsdam on Sunday, the Violets managed to win the first two sets and bounced back after dropping the third.

Despite losing the third set after changes from the bench, Robinson said the team was well-equipped and had enough depth to continue their weekend dominance, whoever the coach selected to play.

“I think we have been steadily making improvements in our game and adjusting quickly to lineup changes,” Robinson said. “I think from this point forward our performance will definitely start ramping up as we begin to solidify one lineup on the court. Our non-starters have a lot of depth and our starters rely on them to come in and do the job if whoever is on the court isn’t performing.”

If the last few matches are any indicator, the team seems to be adjusting. The Violets have matches coming up against Ramapo College, United States Coast Guard Academy, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and Brooklyn College on Sept. 26 and 27 at the Stevens Invitational in Hoboken, New Jersey. They will need to be at their best once again to come away with wins and improve their away record, which will be crucial to their overall success.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Sept. 22 print edition. Email Abbas Shahid at [email protected].