JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The New Jersey City University's men's volleyball team had a three-point lead late in set one but couldn't close out Cairn University and after the Gothic Knights won game two, Cairn pulled away in the final two periods for a 3-1 (25-23, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22) non-conference victory on February 7. The match at NJCU's John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center ('Coach Charlie Brown Court') was its 2017 home opener.
 
NJCU (0-5) had double digits in kills in three of the four sets and 8.0 blocks but remained winless on the season. Cairn (2-11) won its second straight match after a long losing streak to open the season.
 
Junior outside hitter Andy Willits (Hatfield, Pa.) made the biggest difference for the Highlanders, putting away a match-high 17 kills (17-11-46, .130) with eight digs and three blocks.
 
Freshman outside hitter Jonathan Andrews (Palisades Park, N.J./North Bergen) had the best effort of his young career, hitting .414 with 15 kills (15-3-29) and four blocks while freshman setter Jimmy Vega (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) dished 40 assists and hit .400 (3-1-5).
 
Freshman middle hitter Julian Moreira (Miami, Fla./Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Biscayne Bay Campus) had his third effort of double digit kills in five matches, notching 14 (14-10-34) and three blocks. Sophomore libero David Penaherrera (Harrison, NJ/Harrison) delivered a match-high and career-best 21 digs.
 
For the Highlanders, sophomore setter Matthew Gump (Kutztown, Pa.) handed out 34 assists and put away five kills in eight attacks (.625). Sophomore libero Ryan Ludvik (Norfolk, Va.) defended 14 digs. Also for Cairn, freshman middle blocker Joffrey Rosa (Hackensack, N.J.) hit .500 with five kills (5-0-10) and four blocks. Freshman middle Ben Chapman (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.) added seven kills, four aces and two blocks.
 
NJCU served more accurately than it had in previous matches, posting a 61 percent sideout rate, but couldn't find a way to close out Cairn in a match that saw a combined 29 ties.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
There were seven ties in game one, including 15-15, when NJCU reeled off the next four points for a 19-15 lead. But after a timeout, the Highlanders would score nine of the next 10 points to reclaim control, including four aces by Chapman. After Chapman drew Cairn within one (20-19) with a kill and an ace, the guests tied it. Then, Chapman uncorked three consecutive aces for a 23-20 lead and held three set points, 24-20. NJCU scored the next three to close within one (24-23) before a service error handed Cairn a 25-23 win.
 
NJCU put away 16 kills in game two to tie the match at 1-1. Up by one (16-15), NJCU tallied the next five points, including three straight kills, for a 21-15 advantage. Andrews had the final two points of the game, including a smash on a free ball on set point.
 
Tied 12-12 in game three, a block by Willits and Rosa and a Willits kill allowed the guests to grab a 15-12 lead. Willits had five kills in the game. He teamed with Chapman for a block and a 17-13 lead and three straight points, including a Chapman kill, made it 20-14. A late run by NJCU wasn't enough as Cairn prevailed, 25-20.
 
There were nine ties in the fourth game. The Knights looked poised to force a fifth game when a backrow attack by Moreira (17-14) and an over ball kill by Penaherrera gave the hosts an 18-15 lead. But yet again NJCU could not close out the game. Cairn scored the next six points as four different players tallied a kill, and flipped a three-point deficit into a 21-18 advantage. NJCU twice drew within one point, including 23-22 when Moreira put away a swing. But Willits punished an attack for separation and Chapman had an attack fall between two players on match point.
 
OF NOTE:

• 17th meeting. Cairn lead all-time series, 14-3, including eight of the last nine matches.
• David Penaherrera notched his 11th career effort of double digit digs. His previous career high was 19 at Purchase on February 1.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
Weather permitting, NJCU will host first-year program Wilkes University (5-4) in a non-conference match on Thursday, February 9 (7 p.m.).