JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University's starting lineup dismantled Yeshiva University in the first set before the Gothic Knight reserves completed the sweep in games two and three as first place NJCU improved to 28-0 all-time against the Maccabees with a 25-4, 25-14, 25-16 Skyline Conference men's volleyball victory on February 19 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.
 
NJCU improved to 6-3 overall and 3-0 in the league—tied at the top of the standings—and won its third consecutive match. Yeshiva is 1-6, 0-3 Skyline (lost 6).
 
NJCU smothered its opponent in the first set, hitting .615 as a team with eight kills and no errors (13 swings). The four points scored by the Maccabees equaled the second lowest opponent output in the rally scoring era. The record of 25-3 was achieved on January 31 against Brooklyn.
 
All 15 players who dressed saw considerable time with no Knight on the court for more than two sets. Sophomore middle hitter Sheldon Coure (Redondo Beach, CA/Redondo Union) pounded seven kills at a .462 percentage (7-1-13) with four blocks and two aces.  Junior outside hitter Daque Wilcox (Camden, NJ/Camden County Tech) unleashed five aces in two sets.
 
Freshman Jalen Bryan (East Orange, NJ/Bloomfield Tech) hit .444 with five kills (5-1-9) in two sets. Junior Nick Poh (Richmond, VA/Varina) started at libero, moved to the outside and hit .333 with four kills (4-1-9) in a combined role. Senior outside Bill Le (Jersey City, NJ/Snyder) stuffed four blocks while freshman middle hitter Jalen Sorrell (Edison, NJ/John P. Stevens), the reigning AVCA Division III National Player of the Week, had two blocks and four kills.
 
Freshman setter Eric Maldonado (Jersey City, NJ/County Prep) delivered 19 assists in 49 tries in two sets (.388). Rookie setter John Leon (Guatemala City, Guatemala/Colegio Interamericano de Guatemala) had five assists in nine attempts (.556) in the opening game and two kills in two swings (1.000).
 
Benjamin Mann was the only player in positive attack territory for Yeshiva, hitting .154 with five kills (5-3-13). Jorge Dabah had 12 assists.
 
 In the dominant first set, Wilcox served three straight aces to spark NJCU to a 10-2 cushion and after Yeshiva scored back-to-back points, the Knights unleashed a 15-0 blitz to end the set behind the serving of junior opposite Kendall Tribbett (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway Regional).
 
Up 16-14 in game two, NJCU uncorked a 9-0 run to cap a 25-14 decision as the Knights posted 14 kills in the game and hit .281. Up 9-7 in game three, a 5-0 streak doubled the lead (14-7) and the hosts extended the outburst to 10-2 to seize a 19-9 advantage.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series vs. Yeshiva: NJCU leads, 28-0 (all sweeps).

• Lowest scoring non-forfeited sets, rally scoring error (2001-10, 30-point system; 2011-present, 25-point system):
  • 25-3 (NJCU vs. Brooklyn, Jan. 31, 2015)
  • 25-4 (Yeshiva University at NJCU, Feb. 19, 2015)
  • 30-4 (Yeshiva University at NJCU, Feb. 1, 2001)
  • 30-5 (Yeshiva University vs. NJCU, Feb. 27, 2003)
  • 25-6 (Gallaudet University at NJCU, Feb. 23, 2013)
  • 30-6 (Baptist Bible College vs. NJCU, April 1, 2004)

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU will host a Skyline Conference tri-match beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 22. NJCU faces Purchase College in the opening match and Sarah Lawrence College in the nightcap with those schools squaring off in a neutral court contest in between. NJCU is 11-0 (all sweeps) all-time against Purchase. NJCU has never faced the Gryphons.