New Jersey City University Athletics

Box Score BOX SCORE

NEWARK, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com)...New Jersey City University sophomore libero CINDY GARCIA (West New York, NJ/Memorial) provided 23 digs—tied for 10^th most in a three-set match in school history—but her defense wasn't enough to overcome Rutgers-Newark, as NJCU dropped a New Jersey Athletic Conference match against the Scarlet Raiders, 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-23) at The Golden Dome on October 4.

NJCU falls to 4-9 overall (0-4 NJAC) and has dropped nine of its last 10 matches since a 3-0 start. R-N moved over .500 at 10-9 (1-3 NJAC). The Raiders lead the all-time series, 34-9 although NJCU is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
 
Garcia, who had a career-high 25 digs in a three-set loss to Ramapo College on September 27—fifth most for three sets in school history—has now reached double figures in digs in three consecutive matches and five of her last six outings since being converted to the position from setter. It was the sixth double digit digs effort overall this season and 19^th in two seasons as part of the program.
 
But NJCU's offense struggled, hitting -.042 with 24 kills against 29 errors (118 attacks) as the team hit in the red for the sixth time this season.
 
Sophomore outside hitter JADE MEDLEY (Queens, NY/Hudson Catholic) had a team-high six kills (6-6-24). Sophomore outside hitter MARISSA SCARPA (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) added 14 digs and senior setter KIARA MARTINEZ (Newark, NJ/East Side) dished 22 assists and two service aces.
 
Sophomore middle hitter INDIGO HATCHER (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) and senior middle BRITTANY EREZUMA (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) each tallied five kills.
 
Meanwhile, R-N hit a solid .232 as a team with 36 kills (36-10-112), led by the effort of senior middle blocker Rachel Witt (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge), who finished with a match-best 12 kills and hit .440 with one error (25 attempts). She added nine digs. Junior setter Jen Mendoza (Lake Hiawatha, NJ/Parsippany) had a double-double of 28 assists and 12 digs.
 
Also for R-N, junior outside hitter Ula Nieznalska (Wallington, NJ/Wallington) had 18 digs, seven kills and two blocks. Junior outside Paulina Walega (Harrison, NJ/Harrison) chipped in 13 digs and had five kills with no errors.
 
But the Raiders also capitalized on NJCU's miscues, as 38 of the hosts 75 points came off errors. R-N never trailed or was tied in the first set, winning easily.
 
In the second set, NJCU stayed with the Raiders early on. But trailing 14-9, the Knights fell out of the set when R-N concluded the period on an 11-2 run, led by Witt, who had four kills in five chances in the game.
 
R-N never trailed in set three although NJCU was able to make it competitive late, tying the game at 21-21, and staying within one point at 23-22 (Medley kill) and 24-23. But Witt scored the hosts final three points of the match with kills, and her winner on match point gave the Raiders the decision.
 
NJCU will head to Selinsgrove, Pa. this weekend to compete in the Crusader Classic at Susquehanna University. The Knights face Penn State University-Behrend and host Susquehanna on October 6 before challenging Bryn Athyn College and Catholic University on October 7.