JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University unleashed 17 service aces and tied the program record for fewest points allowed in a set in the rally scoring era as the Gothic Knights posted a lopsided 3-0 sweep of St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn), winning 25-12, 25-3, 25-17 in a non-conference match on February 9 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court).
 
NJCU (3-4) allowed just three points in game two, matching the program record set on January 31, 2015 against Brooklyn College. The Bears fell to 0-3 with the loss.
 
NJCU hit .322 as a team (30-11-59) and had a 30-4 differential in kills. The Bears were limited to a -.319 attack percentage (4-19-47).
 
Sophomore middle hitter Julian Moreira (Miami, FL/Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Biscayne Bay Campus) uncorked eight of NJCU's 17 aces and hit .545 with seven kills (7-1-11). Freshman right side Joseph Stawicki (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) had his best effort of the young season with seven kills (7-3-15), hitting .267 with two blocks. Sophomore setter Jimmy Vega (Harrison, NJ/Harrison) delivered 19 assists, four aces and three digs.
 
Also for the dominant Gothic Knights, freshman middle Dave Etienne (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) floored five kills and had three blocks (two solo). Sophomore outside J.J. Berdecia (West New York, NJ/Memorial) had five kills in six swings, hitting .833 with seven digs. Freshman libero Jerlis Vasquez (West New York, NJ/Memorial) finished with seven digs.
 
NJCU led wire to wire in the opening set, scoring eight straight in the middle of the game to build a 20-8 lead. Vega had three aces during the run with Moreira and Berdecia each adding a pair.
 
Tied 2-2 in game two, Stawicki had a kill and that sideout gave NJCU the serve. Moreira stepped back and served 17 consecutive points—the most on record in school history. Included in that staggering run was six aces, highlighted by three in a row. In all, NJCU scored 18 consecutive points to seize a 20-2 lead and then tallied the final five points of the set to win, 25-3.
 
SJCBK made a run to tie the third set at 12-12 against the Gothic Knight bench before NJCU scored the next four points to reclaim the advantage. Up 18-16, NJCU posted five straight points for a 23-16 lead and won, 15-17.
 
NOTABLES:

• NJCU held Sarah Lawrence to three points in game two—tying the program record for fewest points allowed in a rally-scoring set. The lowest scoring non-forfeited sets, rally scoring error (2001-10, 30-point system; 2011-present, 25-point system):
  • 25-3 (NJCU vs. St. Joseph's Brooklyn, February 9, 2018)
  • 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)
  • 25-5 (NJCU at Sarah Lawrence, Feb. 25, 2017)
  • 25-5 (NJCU at Medgar Evers, March 2, 2015)
  • 30-5 (Yeshiva University at NJCU, Feb. 27, 2003)
  • 25-6 (Pratt Institute at NJCU, April 7, 2017 )
  • 25-6 (Yeshiva University at NJCU, Jan. 31, 2017 )
  • 25-6 (Gallaudet University at NJCU, Feb. 23, 2013)
  • 30-6 (Baptist Bible College vs. NJCU, April 1, 2004)

• Series: Fourth meeting. NJCU leads, 4-0 (all sweeps)

 
UP NEXT:
NJCU is idle until Thursday, February 15 when it hosts Bard College (0-7, Lost 13) in a non-conference match. It will be the fourth consecutive home match. It will be the first meeting between the schools since February 19, 2002 in Jersey City—a 3-1 win for the Knights (25-18, 25-19, 21-25, 25-13). NJCU leads the all-time series, 16-3, and is 8-0 all-time at home against the Raptors.
 
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