The NYU women’s volleyball season has gotten off to a mixed start at the NYU Labor Day Invitational this past weekend at Coles Sports Center.
NYU started the invitational with two losses to the State University of New York at New Paltz and Salisbury University. The second day of the competition, the Violets had their first win of the season against SUNY Geneseo by winning three of the four sets played. NYU ended the invitational with a 1-3 record after a loss to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
This year’s captains are juniors Hope Bogle and Alex Mao, as well as senior Kaylee Schanda, who is currently a member of the All-Tournament team. Last season, she led the team in digs, service aces and
receptions in the 39 matches she played.
Last season, Mao played 36 matches with an average of 2.99 kills per set. Bogle started in 18 matches last year and lead the team in both assists and assists per set.
“This weekend was a good opener and starting point for the new team,” Mao said. “With more returners from last year, we’re excited to see the freshmen grow and step up to some leading roles. We have a long season ahead and I know that with our continued hard work, we’re going to end up doing well.”
The Violets also have three returning sophomores: Carly Roberg, Vera Shulgina and Allie Williams. Williams appeared in 36 matches last year, starting in 13.
Shulgina had a career-high 18 kills this weekend in the match against SUNY Geneseo.
The Violets had three seniors graduate last year, including Captain Kolby Warren, Jordan Mylet and Carla Stachurski, but the team has recruited eight new freshmen to fill their spots. A few of the new additions had the chance to play their first games as Violets during this weekend’s Invitational.
NYU ended last year’s season with a record of 22 wins and 17 losses. The Violets came in second at the ECAC Division III Metro/Upstate Championship, losing to hosts Elmira College in the finals.
The Violets will play Stevens Institute of Technology and Vassar College on Sept. 8 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
A version of this article appeared in the Sept. 4 print edition. Mary Jane Dumankaya is a deputy sports editor. Email her at [email protected].
