ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The No. 8 Washington University in St. Louis volleyball team wrapped up the weekend on Sunday at the UAA Round Robin #1 with a heartbreaking loss to (RV) New York University from the Louis Alexander Palestra on the campus of the University of Rochester.
The Bears finish the weekend with an overall record of 10-3 while going 2-1 in the three conference matches.
The Violets jumped out early in the first set, claiming the first eight points. WashU attempted to slowly chip away, getting back to within five at 11-6, but a 10-1 run by NYU would put them ahead 21-7.
WashU made a 6-0 run of its own to get back within eight, before a trio of points for the Violets gave them set point at 24-13. The Bears attempted one more comeback with a 4-0 stretch, but a service error gave NYU the first set, 25-17.
The second set was kept much closer early on, with the Bears able to hold on to a slim lead through 8-5. However, NYU would go on a run similar to those in the first set with a 7-1 stretch to jump ahead 12-9. WashU would respond with multiple two-point stretches, tying the score at 15-15.
After NYU regained the lead at 17-15, the Bears responded by going on a 5-0 run to immediately take it back. More quick-point runs by both sides saw WashU earn the first set point at 24-21 before the Violets scored four straight to pick up a set point of their own. Both teams would immediately respond to the other as NYU maintained a lead at 28-27. A pair of kills by senior
Leah Oyewole and sophomore
Nia Jones, coupled with a Violet attack error, leveled the match at a set apiece as WashU took the second set, 30-28.
Much like the second, the early portion of the third went back and forth until a 7-0 sequence for WashU put them ahead 10-4. NYU would make several small chips into the Bears' lead, but would not get any closer than five (15-10) and see it grow to as many as 12 (24-12) before a kill by Oyewole put the Bears ahead 2-1 after claiming the third set, 25-14.
The fourth set was a mix of the first and third sets for WashU. The Bears would keep it close early on before a run by the Violets saw them pull ahead and away, to lead by as many as seven at 22-15. Back-to-back kills by NYU would once again tie the match at 2-2, forcing a deciding fifth set.
Neither team could score more than two points in a row to start the fifth set, with the Bears holding a 7-6 advantage. However, NYU would find a way to score three straight at this point to jump ahead 9-7 and 10-8. WashU responded with a 4-0 run of its own to regain the lead, 12-10.
But, not going away, the Violets answered with their own 4-0 run to earn a match point. After saving one, NYU got a kill to complete its comeback, 15-13.
Oyewole led all players with 16 kills while adding seven digs. First-year
Anya Mikhailenko dished out 49 assists while scooping up 17 digs to earn her 10th double-double of the season.
Senior
Ellie Laird reached a career milestone against NYU. She surpassed 1,500 career digs with her 27 in the five sets and currently sits in 10th place all-time with 1,511 total digs.
The Bears led NYU in kills (59-49), assists (56-44), and digs (88-74).
WashU returns home next weekend on Saturday, Oct. 3, for a single match against Central (IA). First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m. inside the Field House. Prior to the match, the Bears will honor their five seniors:
Ellie Laird,
Megan Manaj,
Anaia Montaque-Harrison,
Naya Ohuabunwa, and
Leah Oyewole.
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