Box Score

                NEW YORK (February 27, 2014) – The Vassar College erased a 2-0 set lead by host New York University to force a fifth set, but the Brewers couldn't complete the comeback in dropping a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to the No. 15 Violets in United Volleyball Conference (UVC) action Thursday from the Coles Center.

                The Brewers fell with scores of 25-22, 25-19, 25-27, 25-27 and 15-12. The contest was close in the opening set, as Vassar (4-10, 1-6 UVC) opened up its largest lead at 10-7 of the frame. The hosts would put together a 6-1 run to take a 13-11 lead. The Brewers kept the match close, and were within two late, but Stephen Tan chalked up a game-winning kill to put his team up 1-0.

                The second set saw NYU jet out to a 16-9 lead, but the Brewers didn't go away, rallying with an 8-2 run capped by an Erik Halberg (Neward, DE/Salesianum School) kill. NYU (9-4) posted seven of the next nine points to earn the win though, taking a two-game lead as VC committed seven service errors in the set.

                Things would turn around though for the Brewers in the third, though it was nip and tuck the entire way. The two squads were knotted at 11, and the game saw the next 14 points alternate between the teams, as no one could hold serve. The set remained very tight, but Vassar fended off two match points before tallying the final three points to cut the Violet lead to 2-1.

                Vassar would tie the match in the fourth set, but again needed extra points to pick up the game. With the score 15-14 in favor of the hosts, NYU put together a 5-0 run to take a commanding 20-14 advantage. VC wouldn't back down, scoring nine of the matches' next 10 points to take a 23-21 edge. NYU fought back with a 4-1 run to take a 25-24 lead, but Vassar showed a lot of heart by denying the Violets another match point and send the match to a fifth-set three points later after a block by Christian Lizana (Dublin, PA/Pennridge) and Colin White-Dzuro (Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Royal St. George).

                In the final period, Vassar charged out to a 6-5 lead but four straight points by NYU forced the Brewers to take a timeout at 9-6. The visitors clawed back into the match with a 6-2 run to earn a 12-11 lead, causing NYU to call timeout. The stoppage helped the hosts Violets, who were able to tally four straight points to hear the hard-fought conference win.

                Sophomore Reno Kriz (Breinigsville, PA/Parkland) led the Brewers with 16 terminations, posting five digs as well. Halberg had one of his best games of the season with seven kills and six total blocks, while outside hitter Joe Pyne (Los Angeles, CA/Oakwood Secondary) added 13 kills, three aces and six digs.

                Freshman libero Trey Cimorelli (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) continued to shine with 14 digs and four helpers, and junior outside hitter Colin Fearn-Johnson (Honolulu, HI/Punahou) added six successful attacks and five digs. White-Dzuro handed out 38 assists, helping on four blocks as well. The Brewers put together a 47-28-134 (.142) hitting ledger, but struggled with the serve, erring 21 times.

                The Brewers will host three teams Saturday afternoon at 11 a.m. in Kenyon Hall, as No. 2 Juniata College, Thiel College and No. 1 New Paltz all come to campus for four afternoon matches.