MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Wesleyan women's volleyball team found themselves up to 16^th in the newest national rankings heading into their tri match against Susquehanna and No.9 NYU Saturday afternoon. They made quick work of a Susquehanna team that was receiving votes in the national polls, 3-0, before playing in their most challenging matchup of the season against No. 9 NYU. Each set was extremely close, and Wesleyan found themselves up 2-1 heading into the 4^th set. NYU controlled the entire 4^th set to bring up an intense final set at Silloway Gymnasium. The crowd was loud, with fans cheering for both sides but it was NYU who pulled out the final set 15-10 to hang on for the victory. Wesleyan suffered their first defeat of the 2022 season falling to 9-1. Susquehanna went 1-1 on the day moving to 7-6. NYU took a 1-1 day as well, losing to Tufts 3-2 before defeating Wesleyan in five sets to improve to 10-3.

Wesleyan opened with a convincing victory over Susquehanna Saturday afternoon, defeating them in straight sets. The Cardinals were impressive, holding the River Hawks to a 0.61 attack percentage over the three sets of action. On offense, they were led by Mariko Tanaka '24 with 11 kills and Jenna Otaola with three aces. Tanaka was also impressive on defense, securing a season-high six blocks.

The Cardinals and River Hawks were going back and forth in the first set, leading to a 18-18 tie. From there Wesleyan took control, securing seven of the next eight points to take the set, capped off by one of Bella Ahearn's '23 three kills of the match to put Wesleyan up 1-0. The second set the Cardinals once again had an early lead at 6-2, before the River Hawks came storming back. Wesleyan called a timeout and ended the set taking four of the last five points to go up 2-0. In the third set Wesleyan was able to maintain their early lead, coasting to a 25-15 victory and a 1-0 start to the day.

Jenna Otaola led the team with 12 digs, while Grace Dennis '23 led the way with 18 assists. On the other side it was Rosita Esposito at the top with nine kills and Kiera Roach with 17 assists.

The best matchup of the day was saved for last, with No. 9 NYU coming into Silloway Gymnasium to take on the undefeated and 16^th ranked Cardinals. The gym was packed by the opening serve and fans from both sides made themselves known right from the jump. The opening set didn't disappoint, with both teams battling back and forth. The set was deadlocked at 23 when Sophia Lindus '26 produced back-to-back kills to end the set and give Wesleyan a 1-0 lead.

In set number two it was another seesaw affair with both sides alternating points. Haley Holtz recorded six kills in the second set to lead her team to a 27-25 victory over the Cardinals, evening the score at 1-1. In the third set it seemed like Wesleyan had finally found a rhythm, taking a multiple point lead and holding it throughout the set to finish with a 25-20 win, seemingly having the momentum and crowd at their back the Cardinals came out aggressive in the 4^th set. It didn't pan out, and the multiple attack and service errors costs the Cardinals a chance to put the Violets away, losing 25-21.

In the final set, the Violets maintained the lead behind stellar defense and timely kills, ending in a 15-10 win. Haley Holz led the way for NYU, recording 20 kills followed by Olivia Lewandowski with 16. Nicole Dao was impressive setting her teammates up with 22 assists while Lindsey Hirano contributed 26 digs.

For Wesleyan, Sophia Lindus led the way with 16 kills, followed by Tanaka with 14. Grace Dennis once again led the team in assists with 28, while Jenna Otaola chipped in 17 digs to lead the Cardinals.

Wesleyan looks to bounce back from their first loss of the season against MIT Thursday, September 29^th.