Brooklyn, N.Y. - January 26, 2022 - In a showdown of two of the top-ranked programs in Division III men's volleyball, the Springfield College men's volleyball team prevailed in five sets over New York University in the Brooklyn Athletic Facility by the set scores of 25-23, 25-22, 24-26, 19-25, 17-15.

Springfield, which moved up to No. 1 in the NVA/AVCA Division III National Poll this week, is now 4-0 on the season.  The Violets, who had knocked off previously-ranked No. 1 Carthage in their season opener, was ranked fifth in the country this week and slipped to 1-1 on the year.

Liam York (Kailua, Hawaii) was sensational in the victory for the Pride as he put together the best match of his career, tallying 29 kills at a .451 hitting percentage.  Nate Reynolds (Baltimore, Md.) recorded nine blocks, Matt Lilley (Stony Brook, N.Y.) was credited with 45 assists and seven digs, and Troy Von Holt (Melville, N.Y.) broke into the lineup and made an impact with eight blocks. 

Facing a 15-10 deficit in the first set, the Pride used a 4-0 burst, capped off by a block from Von Holt and Reynolds to force NYU into a timeout.  The Pride would eventually take its first lead of the set at 19-18 following a wild rally that finished with a Reynolds kill, and would later get a kill from Chris Parker (East Northport, N.Y.) and stuff block from York to gain a 22-20 edge.  Springfield would later take the 25-23 win following a NYU service error.

York started to find his offensive rhythm in the second set as he accounted for nine of Springfield's 11 kills in the stanza.  Even at 13-13, Springfield used a 4-1 push to take control of the frame and never let the Violets closer than two points before taking the 25-22 victory.  

The third set featured 14 ties and nine lead changes as the back-and-forth affair would eventually lead to the Pride earning match point on a kill by Parker.  However, a service error tied things up at 24 before NYU delivered a kill and ace to force a fourth set. 

The Violets carried that momentum into the fourth and broke open a 9-8 game with a 6-1 spurt to gain a 15-9 edge.  Springfield would respond with three-straight points, including a kill and block from Parker, but NYU pulled away with the 25-19 win as they totaled 14 kills at a .385 hitting percentage in the set.

In the fifth and final set, there were 14 ties as neither team would back down.  With NYU leadinig 7-6, York buried a kill and Reynolds followed with an ace as part of a 3-0 burst to force NYU into a timeout. Out of the break, the hosts registered three-straight kills as Springfield called for a timeout, and the hosts would later earn match point of their own at 14-13.  However, Reynolds and Von Holt came up with a huge block and York followed with another kill to give the Pride a match point of their own.  After a service error, NYU had another attack error and Lilley and Reynolds combined on the pin for a monster block to complete the 17-15 victory. 

On Saturday, Springfield will compete in Blake Arena for the first time this season as it hosts a tri-match with nationally-ranked Wentworth and Hunter which begins at 12 pm.

For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Springfield "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.