Violets score first win of the season

The men's volleyball team snagged its first win of the 2010 season, beating Vassar College (3-2) on Feb. 2, at Kenyon Hall in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Everything seemed to come together for the Violets (1-3), currently ranked ninth in the AVCA Division III Men's Top 15 Coaches Poll, as they defeated the Brewers in three games (31-29, 30-21, 30-28), and outplayed them in nearly every aspect, including kills (58-36) and hitting average (.303-.216).

Freshman Cooper Gwaltney turned out a career performance, notching his first double-double, with a game high 16 kills and 10 digs. Gwaltney also hit .393 on the night. Sophomore Ryan Limb and senior captain Michael Ferragonio each added 12 kills and hit .429 and .296 respectively.

"We knew coming in that we needed a win," head coach Jose Pina said. "We were able to hit well and serve well, while also putting up one of our strongest defensive efforts. We were just the better team tonight."

Sophomore Patrick Dodd added a burst of offense in the beginning of the second set, recording three of his five service aces in a row. As a whole, NYU notched 11 service aces.

Defensively, sophomore captain Jay Hayes put up a match-high 11 digs, in addition to Gwaltney's 10 digs.

The Brewers were led by Evan Frederickson, who threw down 15 kills and hit .364, while John Konow added 8 digs.

Next, the Violets head back on the road to Huntingdon, Pa., on Saturday against Juniata College at 7 p.m.