New Jersey City University Athletics

 

 

JERSEY CITY, NJ…In a match-up of the only two unbeaten teams in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings, New Jersey City University senior middle blocker LIZZELLE CINTRON (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) crushed 28 kills and added 14 digs to notch her 99^th career double-double, and the Gothic Knights extended their home court winning streak to 37 consecutive matches, as NJCU dismantled Richard Stockton College, 3-0 (30-22, 30-22, 30-19), Tuesday at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

 

With the win, NJCU claims sole possession of first place in the NJAC by improving to 20-4 overall and 5-0 in the conference. It was NJCU’s eighth consecutive victory and the Knights improved to 37-0 at home since 2004. The victory allows the Knights to reach the 20-victory plateau for the fourth year in a row, fifth time in six seasons and seventh time overall in the history of the program. Stockton falls to 9-13 and 4-1 in the league.

 

In a rematch of the last two NJAC title matches, Stockton, the defending champions, leads the all-time series 36-5, but NJCU has won five of the last seven meetings. NJCU was playing the match without one-third of its starting line-up, as both starting outside hitters missed the contest with injuries. NJCU swept Stockton for the first time in the history of the series; the Knights are 12-0 this year in matches that last three games.

 

Amazingly, Cintron had as many kills by herself as the entire Stockton team, as NJCU’s defense posted 55 digs and limited the Ospreys to a .087 percentage (28-19-103).

 

“The team played very well together as a whole unit,” said fourth-year head coach CHRISTOPHER FELICIANO, who improved his career record to 109-26. “Our depth definitely showed today because we were missing two starting outside hitters due to injury, but everyone did their part and more, allowing us to perform well and be in rhythm the entire night.”

 

Cintron, who increased her career kills mark to 2,723—now seven kills shy of eighth place in NCAA Division I, II and IIII history—posted a staggering .511 hitting percentage, with 28 of NJCU’s 46 total kills and a line of 28-5-45. She added 14 digs, two aces and two blocks. The 28 kills in three games tied for the third most in a three-game match in program history, and gave Cintron her 34^th career match with 25 or more kills.

 

NJCU, which hit .327 as a team (46-10-110), received 22 assists from freshman setter ALEX JOHANESEN (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) and 18 assists from senior setter #NADIA DaSILVA DUCOS# (Newark, NJ/Science).

 

Junior opposite SARAH TORRES (Elizabeth, NJ/Science) finished with seven kills (7-2-20, .250) and two blocks, while sophomore outside hitter MICHELLE CINTRON (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) tagged five kills (5-1-19, .211), three aces and two blocks. Senior libero GLORINELL PEREZ (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) defended 11 digs to increase her all-time program standard to 1,966 and junior defensive specialist LYANELLY NEGRON (Union, NJ/Union), who became the eighth player in program history to surpass 1,000 career digs in her last match, defended 10 more, and landed three aces.

 

For Stockton, junior outside hitter Amanda Burkart (Cresskill, NJ/Cresskill) had half of the Ospreys’ 28 kills, finishing with 14 (14-6-40), 10 digs for a double-double and a .200 attack percentage. Junior setter Christine Aletras (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) finished with 21 assists and nine digs. Junior middle hitter Audrey O’Donnell (Bogota, NJ/Immaculate Heart) had eight kills (8-4-28, .143) and eight digs.

 

In game one, NJCU never trailed, and led 19-15 and 22-17. But consecutive kills by LIZZELLE CINTRON opened a 27-19 margin, Torres and sophomore outside hitter KAREN RAMIREZ (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) added winners, and NJCU won the opener, 30-22.

 

NJCU fell behind 4-0 in game two, before a 7-1 run capped by a LIZZELLE CINTRON winner put the Knights ahead. Later a kill by MICHELLE CINTRON opened a 23-16 cushion, before three NJCU errors and a Stockton ace allowed the Ospreys to pull within 23-21. But NJCU uncorked a 7-1 spurt to close the game, as Negron served four straight points and LIZZELLE CINTRON hammered three kills.

 

A tight third game at 9-8 quickly emerged into a rout as NJCU strung together an 8-3 run for a 17-11 edge. Two aces by MICHELLE CINTRON opened a 23-14 cushion before a kill and ace by LIZZELLE CINTRON made it 29-19, and a solo block by sophomore middle blocker JENNIFER HATCH (Paterson, NJ/Mary Help of Christians Academy) sealed the win.

 

NJCU will play the 750^th match in the 25-year history of program when the Knights visit Kean University on Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Stockton is in action that night, hosting Rutgers-Newark.