JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The New Jersey City University's men's volleyball never trailed in the first or fourth sets and behind a balanced five-man young offensive attack won its first match of the season, defeating the City College of New York, 3-1 (25-18, 25-22, 24-26, 25-20) in non-conference action on February 14 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center ('Coach Charlie Brown Court').
 
In an offensive lineup where all six starters are freshmen, five players combined for between six and 10 kills as NJCU (1-5) handed CCNY its fourth straight loss (2-5).
 
Freshman setter Jimmy Vega (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) controlled the tempo for NJCU, dishing 38 assists at a .413 percentage with six digs and freshman outside hitter Edgar Crespo (Newark, N.J./Science Park) had a breakout match, hitting .500 with nine kills (9-1-16) and 11 digs.
 
Freshman middle hitter/right side Jonathan Andrews (Palisades Park, N.J./North Bergen), the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week chipped in seven kills and five blocks (four solo) while freshman right side/middle hitter Julian Moreira (Miami, Fla./Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Biscayne Bay Campus) had a team-high 10 kills, seven digs and four assisted blocks.
 
On an evenly-distributed box score, freshman middle hitter Christian Ramirez (West New York, N.J./Memorial) hit .294 with nine kills (9-4-17) and two blocks. Freshman outside hitters J.J. Berdecia (West New York, N.J./Memorial) added six kills, five digs and two aces. Sophomore libero David Penaherrera (Harrison, NJ/Harrison) delivered seven digs.
 
CCNY had two players combine for 34 of its 43 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Sebastian Aga had a double-double with 16 kills (16-9-46, .152) and 12 digs and freshman right side Carlos Maldonado Madrid tallied a match-high 18 kills and hit .270 (18-8-37). Senior setter Oleksandr Boychuk collected 39 assists, nine digs and two aces. David Cham (11 digs) and Seth Diaz (four blocks) also contributed.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 

Leading 12-10 in set one, NJCU scored five straight points—four off CCNY errors to seize a 17-10 lead—and continued to hold a 19-13 margin. When CCNY cut the deficit to three (20-17), NJCU took charge again, scoring five of the final six points. The run was fueled when Andrews destroyed an attack on a one-ball in the middle and he teamed with Moreira for a double block and a 23-17 lead. Moreira put down an overball on game point. NJCU had a 72 percent (13-18) sideout rate in the opening game.
 
Game two saw several notable runs. NJCU trailed 5-2, then ran off a 7-2 spurt for a 9-7 lead. The Beavers responded, scoring 11 of the next 14 points to seize an 18-12 advantage. The Gothic Knights did not panic, did not call timeout, and stunned CCNY with a 9-0 outburst to erase the deficit and move in front. After an ace by Berdecia and a Crespo winner, NJCU cut it to one on a stuff by Moreira and Andrews on the right side. CCNY used its second timeout but it didn't stop the bleeding as the guests committed three more errors and Moreira smashed one cross court, as NJCU went up 21-18. Berdecia, Crespo and Ramirez each added kills as NJCU pulled away.
 
The Knights led 17-12 in the third set and had a chance to sweep. CCNY scored six of the next seven points, with three blocks along the way, and the clubs were tied at 18-18, 20-20, 21-21 and 22-22. NJCU owned two match points when an Andrews monster kill and a CCNY attack error gave the hosts a 24-22 lead. But CCNY staved off two match points, tying it on a Madrid kill and an NJCU attack error. An ace by Aga and another NJCU attack error sealed the game for the Beavers as they reeled off the final four points to prevail, 26-24.
 
But in the fourth set NJCU scored the first five points and never looked back. When CCNY got within on (9-8), NJCU scored the next five points for a 14-8 edge. Ramirez annihilated a one-ball for a 16-10 lead and four points in a row, keyed by two kills from Crespo, made it 21-13. A kill by Berdecia gave NJCU the win on its sixth match point of the evening.
 
QUOTABLE KNIGHTS:
Fourth-year head coach Robert Cole on the win: "It's nice to get in the win column. But if anyone in that locker room is satisfied with the way they performed, then they've got another thing coming. These guys can be as good as they want to be, but only if they're hungry and humble."
 
OF NOTE:

• 32nd meeting. NJCU leads all-time series, 26-6, and has won 16 of the last 17 meetings.
• Julian Moreira reached double figures in kills for the fourth time in six matches.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU will play the next eight matches away from Jersey City, beginning on Thursday, February 16 (7 p.m.) when the Knights head to the College of Staten Island for the first of two meetings this month with the College of Staten Island in the 'Bayonne Bridge Series.' NJCU is 2-0 all-time against the Dolphins, both by 3-0 results.