BROOKLYN, N.Y. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Freshman setter Jimmy Vega (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) delivered 25 assists and served six of New Jersey City University's 18 aces as the Gothic Knights got back in the win column with a 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-23) sweep of Pratt Institute on February 23 at the Pratt ARC.
 
NJCU (3-8) snapped a three-game losing streak by more than doubling Pratt's kill total (30-14) while committing less attack errors (13) than the opponent had kills. Pratt fell to 3-2 with the loss.
 
Vega paced NJCU to a .274 team attack percentage (30-13-62) and the Knights had a 68 percent sideout rate (31-45) in the match, including an 88 percent figure (8-9) in the convincing opening set victory. Pratt did not have more than six kills in any set.
 
Freshman right side/middle hitter Julian Moreira (Miami, Fla./Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Biscayne Bay Campus) had a match-high nine kills and hit .333 (9-3-18). Freshman middle hitter/right side Jonathan Andrews (Palisades Park, N.J./North Bergen) hit .600 with four kills (4-1-5) and three aces in only one set of action.
 
Freshman outside hitters J.J. Berdecia (West New York, N.J./Memorial) added six kills, seven digs and three aces. Freshman middle Christian Ramirez (West New York, N.J./Memorial) hit .375 with five kills (5-2-8). Freshman outside/setter James Amanonce (Jersey City, N.J./Ferris) hit .429 with four kills (4-1-7).
 
David Cutler was the top performer for the Cannoneers with 10 assists and a .375 attack (3-0-8). Ari Grant hit .375 with four kills (4-1-8).
 
NJCU led wire-to-wire in each of the first two sets when the Knights unleashed eight and seven aces, respectively. Leading 11-7 in game one, NJCU pulled away with a 7-0 run where Vega served three aces in a span of five points. The Knights opened a comfortable lead in the second game and up 13-8, back-to-back kills by Moreira extended the margin to 17-8. NJCU scored seven of the final eight points of the game, including three aces. NJCU hit .375 in the second game (7-1-16).
 
The third set was the most competitive. NJCU led early before Pratt managed ties at 11-11 and 12-12. The Knights scored the next four points for a 16-12 lead and extended the run to 9-1, capped by back-to-back kills from Ramirez for a 21-13 advantage. NJCU held four match points, leading 24-20, and needed each as the hosts used an ace and two errors to draw within one (24-23) before Andrews put away a swing to seal the win.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series vs. Pratt: NJCU leads, 2-0 (two sweep).

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
In the third and fourth of four matches this week in New York, the Knights will play a non-conference tri-match at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. on February 25 that will include the College of Staten Island. NJCU will play Staten Island for the second time this month at 1 p.m. before meeting the Gryphons at 3 p.m. NJCU swept Staten Island on the road on February 16, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-15) and leads the 'Bayonne Bridge Series', 3-0. While Sarah Lawrence is also a Skyline Conference opponent, this will be a non-conference tilt. NJCU is 4-0 all-time in the series.