JAMAICA, NY - Capturing their first victory of the 2023 campaign, the Yeshiva women's volleyball team defeated York College, beating the Cardinals in a hard-fought match by a score of 3-1 on Monday, Nov. 6.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees were led by historic performances from Talia Finn and Zoey Botnick. Finding her groove from the serving stripe, Finn tied the Yeshiva Athletics program record for aces at nine, while a masterful setter performance from Botnick set a new YU record for assists at 33, shattering the former mark of 29 that had stood for over a decade. On top of their record-setting achievements, the pair had more than impressive outings for Yeshiva, with Finn posting a season-high mark of 12 kills while Botnick contributed two aces of her own.
 
The Macs saw equally impressive results on the defensive end of the ball, as three YU players tallied over 20 digs. Elle Ohayon led the way for the squad with 34, while Finn and Ashley Botnick trailed close behind at 24.
 
With the win, the Macs are now 1-15 on the season, their first victory since November of 2022.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• While the Macs kicked off the first set by grabbing an early 3-0 lead thanks to the offensive firepower of Finn, Zoey Botnick and Moriah Berkovitch, six straight York points erased Yeshiva's advantage, forcing them into a 6-3 hole. YU would proceed to keep the contest close over the subsequent serves, never allowing the Cardinals to go up by more than four. Despite this effort, the women in blue and white could not fully regain their hold over the contest, only coming as close as to level the match at 9-all and come within one on multiple occasions. It was only until 18-15 that Yeshiva finally broke through, securing a 7-1 run to retake a 21-19 lead. While York were able to fight back, tying the period at 23-all, the Macs, thanks in part to a Berkovitch ace, captured the final decisive two points to put away the set, 25-23.
   
• Kicking off the second set, both squads traded blow-for-blow, neither able to gain a full advantage. Seeing the match tied 11 different times over 47 total points, a final 5-2 run allowed the Cardinals to squeeze away with a set win, taking it, 25-22.
   
• With the match tied at one set apiece, the Macs came out of the gate swinging in set number three, racing out to a 17-2 lead thanks to a 12-serve stretch from the ace-assassin Finn. While York were able to pull Yeshiva off of their perch somewhat, coming within six at 21-15, four straight Mac points ended the set with the scoreboard reading 25-15.
   
• Seeing another dominant start out of the Macs in set number four, Yeshiva jumped out to a 15-5 margin over York. However, the Cardinals were not going down without a fight, scraping together the next eight points and bringing the match within two at 16-14. Despite their tenacious opponent, Yeshiva refused to surrender their advantage. As Ohayon slammed down the final kill for the Macs' 25th and final point, securing the 25-23 set win, a feeling of jubilation went up through the players and fans alike, as this iteration of Yeshiva women's volleyball tasted victory for the very first time.

 
MAC LEADERS
Kills: Finn (12), Ohayon (11), Lesnoy (9)
Aces: Finn (9), Ohayon (5), Z. Botnick (2)
Assists: Z. Botnick (33), Einhorn (3), Finn (3)
Digs: Ohayon (34), Finn (24), A. Botnick (24)
 
UP NEXT
Playing in their penultimate match of the season, the Macs will travel to Medgar Evers College on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 7:00 p.m.