NEW PALTZ, N.Y. -- Fourth-seeded NYU eliminated Nazareth Friday in he first round of the United Volleyball Conference Tournament as the Violets downed the Golden Flyers in three close sets. Scores were 25-22, 25-22, 27-25.

NYU advances to Saturday's semifinals against top-seeded New Paltz at 2:30 p.m. Second-seeded St. John Fisher awaits the winner of Friday's other first-round match between Vassar and Elmira. The championship match, which carries an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, is Sunday at 2 p.m. Nazareth finishes the 2022 season with an overall record of 18-9 following its second defeat of the season to NYU.

Owen Wickens led Nazareth with 18 kills, including nine in the opening set, but the Golden Flyers ultimately lost by three points. Antonio Sargent added 13 kills and Max Stuver contributed 21 assists.

Nazareth trailed for most of the first set, but closed to within 21-19 after the ninth kill of the set by Wickens. NYU scored three of the next four points to go up 24-20. The after a pair of kills by Sargent, the Violets closed out the set with a block by Ryan Whealen.

The second set was similar with the Violets pulling away after the set was tied at 13-13. Wickens and Sargent each had three kills, but Wickens also had five hitting errors. Guatham Dasari had five kills for NYU Tyler Flood added four. Dasari had kills on the final two NYU points to give the Violets a commanding lead.

Wickens had six more kills in the third set as the Golden Flyers tried to extend the match. Sargent had a kill to tie the set at 22-22, then Wickens had kills on Nazareth's 24th and 25th points. The Violets then scored the last two points to close out the match.

Wickens also had a pair of service aces and Seth Terzo had seven digs.