NEW YORK, NY-- St. Thomas volleyball battled New York University in a four-set match at the John A. Paulson Center on Saturday, falling 3-1 by scores of 15-25, 21-25, 25-20, and 24-26. The Celts fought back to claim the third set and pushed the fourth set to extra points before NYU secured the match. The result moves the Celts to 1-2 overall on this new season.
In the opening set, UST traded points with NYU early, using a block from Alexis Bodunrin and a kill from Noor Haydari before Audrey Cataline's kill gave the Celts a 6-5 lead. UST remained close through the middle portion, tying the set at 10-10 and briefly moving ahead 11-10 on another Bodunrin kill. NYU then used a 9-0 run to build a 20-11 advantage. Although Bodunrin, Cataline, and Haydari added late kills, NYU closed the set 25-15.
NYU opened the second set with a 4-0 lead, but Bodunrin's kill helped UST begin to cut into the deficit. Katelyn Marti and Haydari added kills, while Bodunrin continued to provide points as the Celts worked back into the set. UST tied the frame at 13-13 and remained within reach late, with Cataline and Bodunrin contributing kills during the middle portion. NYU eventually created separation and held on for a 25-21 win.
The Celts responded in the third set by taking control after an even start. With the score tied 7-7, UST received kills from Cataline and Bodunrin before Carly Lange's service ace helped the Celts build a 14-11 lead. UST maintained the advantage through the middle portion, with Bodunrin and Cataline continuing to produce offensively. Morgan Gardner and Sydney Nevill also contributed at the net, and the Celts extended their lead to 22-18 before closing out the set 25-20.
UST carried that momentum into the fourth set, staying within one point early and taking an 8-6 lead after a kill from Katelyn Marti and a point created by an opponent attack error. NYU answered to move ahead, but the Celts continued to battle behind kills from Bodunrin, Cataline, Haydari, and Sydney Nevill. After NYU built a 16-13 advantage, UST rallied to tie the set at 19-19. Jada Stallworth then helped fuel a late push with an ace and consecutive points, putting the Celts ahead 23-19. NYU fought back to tie the set at 24-24 and scored the final two points to secure the 26-24 win and the match.
Bodunrin led the Celts with 23 kills, one ace, two blocks, and 14 digs. Cataline added 11 kills and nine digs, while Haydari recorded seven kills and one block. Bodunrin, Carly Lange, and Jada Stallworth each recorded one ace, while Sydney Nevill contributed two blocks. Cailin Brokaw led UST with 21 assists, Stallworth added 17 assists, and Lange finished with five assists. As a team, the Celts recorded 50 kills, four aces, six blocks, 45 assists, and 50 digs.
Up Next
The Celts will return to action on Friday, Sept. 18, at 3 p.m. against Washington University in San Antonio, Texas.
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