ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The seventh-seeded Brandeis University volleyball team was within one set of ensuring that they outperformed their seed at the 2024 University Athletic Association championships, but sixth-seeded NYU edged the Judges in the fifth to send them to the seventh-place match, 3-2. Set scores were 18-25, 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 15-4.
TEAM RECORDS
- Brandeis, 16-13.
- NYU, 21-11.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Judges got off to a fast start, taking the first set for the second match in a row. They had a match-best .367 hitting percentage in the first (13 kills-2 errors-30 total attacks), while holding NYU to a .226 percentage (12 K-5 E-31 TA).
- Senior Lara Verstovsek (Houston, Texas/Episcopal) had six kills in the first set to lead the Judges to the 25-20 win.
- Brandeis was unable to match that offensive efficiency the rest of the way, hitting no better than .105 in any other set. After NYU took sets 2 and 3 by scores of 25-16 and 25-19, Brandeis was able to force a fifth set. The Violets committed 13 errors in the fourth, as Brandeis took a 25-20 decision.
- In the decisive set, NYU got off to a fast start, winning the first five points on a Brandeis error followed by four-straight service aces by Grace Nelson.
- Brandeis stopped the momentum briefly, but NYU won another four in a row to go up, 9-1, and they finished the Judges off, 15-4.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Verstovsek finished with a match-high 19 kills and had just six errors in 52 attempts for a .250 hitting percentage. She also contributed three service aces, eight digs and two block assists.
- Senior Arianna Jackson (Lewis Center, Ohio/Oletangy Orange) had a fine all-around match with seven kills and just one error in 14 attempts for a .429 hitting percentage, while also contributing six block assists. Jackson had a block on both of the Judges' set-clinching points.
- Junior Anna Ertischek (Montgomery, Texas/Lake Creek) had eight kills.
- Sophomore libero Ava Ferrigno (Boca Raton, Fla./Boca Raton Community) led the team with 28 digs, while junior Julia Liang (Sugar Land, Texas/Clements) had 23 assists and a team-high four service aces.
UP NEXT
- The Judges will close out their 2024 campaign tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the UAA tournament seventh-place match against eighth-seeded Rochester.