1/16/2026
NYU opened its 2026 season with a four-set victory over Concordia Wisconsin on Friday night at Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz, California, but the path to the win was anything but straightforward. The #2 Violets took the match 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-22, surviving an opening-set setback that underscored just how thin the margins can be, even when the numbers scream dominance.
The first set told a strange story. NYU hit an eye-catching .560, putting away 15 kills with only one error on 25 attempts. On most nights, that level of efficiency is enough to create separation early. Concordia Wisconsin had other ideas. The Falcons absorbed the pressure, stayed composed in extended rallies, and countered with timely swings of their own, edging out the set 25-23. It was a reminder that volleyball is not won on percentages alone, and that a scrappy opponent willing to grind can flip a set even when it is being out-hit.
That early stumble seemed to sharpen NYU’s edge rather than dull it. The Violets steadied their serve-receive, cleaned up the margins in transition, and began to assert control over the middle sets. NYU answered with a 25-21 win in the second set, weathering a more uneven offensive stretch while leaning on defensive discipline and steady distribution. The third set followed a similar pattern, with NYU pulling ahead late to claim a 25-23 decision after Concordia once again refused to fade quietly.
Offensively, NYU finished with 56 kills on the night and a .315 team hitting percentage. Emerson Evans led the way with 22 kills on .436 hitting, adding a service ace and contributing across rotations. Charlie Clifford chipped in 17 kills at a .400 clip, while Jerry Feng added eight kills and provided balance on the pins. Devyn Nguyen orchestrated the attack with 39 assists, helping NYU maintain rhythm even as Concordia continued to test them defensively.
Concordia Wisconsin deserves credit for extending the match and forcing NYU to earn every point. The Falcons stayed competitive through sustained rallies, produced 47 kills of their own, and generated 39 total tie scores across the four sets. Their ability to hang in the first set, despite NYU’s blistering efficiency, set the tone for a match that demanded patience and resolve from the Violets.
In the end, NYU’s response mattered more than the surprise of the opening set. The Violets adjusted, tightened their execution, and closed the door without allowing the match to slip away. Winning while being pushed, especially after losing a set you statistically dominated, is often where early-season growth shows itself most clearly.
With #15 Cal Lutheran tomorrow, and #10 UC Santa Cruz on Sunday, the Violets will continue to be tested on their west coast opening weekend.
