NEWBURGH, N.Y. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University (3-10) and Mount Saint Mary's College (7-9) battled in a tight five-set match before MSMC pulled out a 3-2 victory (20-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11). MSMC had a 56-43 differential in kills in the win.
 
For the Gothic Knights, senior outside hitter Amber O'Donnell (East Newark, NJ/Harrison) led the way with her third double-double of the season, finishing with 14 kills and 15 digs. Senior setter Shaylah Ware (Newark, NJ/Science Park) tallied 36 assists and a match-high seven service aces. Senior libero Georgina Rayo (Jersey City, NJ/McNair Academic) defended 19 digs. Junior outside Stephanie Duque (West New York, NJ/Memorial) had eight kills and two blocks.
 
For the Blue Knights of Mount Saint Mary, they were led by middle blocker Morgan Burke (Ringwood, N.J.). The junior stuffed the stat sheet with 16 kills, four blocks, and three aces, and hit .314 (16-5-35). Senior outside Alex Klesin (Glendale, N.Y.) also reached double-digit kills (11). Senior setter Kim Gries (Hicksville, N.Y.) had 41 assists and 11 digs.
 
Also for MSMC sophomore outside Danielle Kralik (Bedford Hills, N.Y.) defended 20 digs, sophomore defensive specialist Klaire Wall (Point Pleasant, N.J.) added 14 digs and senior middle Nicole Spinelli (Wantagh, N.Y.) posted a .400 attack percentage with nine kills (9-1-20).
 
The theme of the night: Get an early lead in the set and hold on from there.
 
In the first set, NJCU jumped out to an early 4-1 thanks to kills from O'Donnell and junior opposite Pamela Florimon (Teaneck, NJ/Memorial) and held on for the 25-20 win. In the second set, it was MSMC who took the early 4-1 lead and would hold on for the equalizing game (25-19).
 
In the third set, the Gothic Knights took an early 4-0 lead and never looked back, leading the game wire-to-wire (25-20). Of course, it was the Blue Knights who returned the favor the next set, as MSMC took a 3-0 lead and never looked back, taking the second equalizing set wire-to-wire (25-18) to demand a fifth set.
 

In the determining game, MSMC got out to a quick 10-2 lead, which should have been the end of things given the theme of the evening. While the Blue Knights did indeed hold off the Gothic Knights, it wasn't before NJCU battled back to make it close, including taking five straight points when they were down to match point. In the end, MSMC ended up winning the fifth set (15-11) and taking the match, their seventh win of the season.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: 10th meeting. MSMC leads 7-3.
• Amber O'Donnell (East Newark, NJ/Harrison) reached double figures in digs for the 37th time in her career.
• O'Donnell got her 789th career dig, moving into 18th in school history in the category. She passed Lucille Villaplana (2002-04) on the all-time list with her final dig of Thursday's match.

 
UP NEXT:
NJCU won't have any time to catch their breath, as they head to Staten Island for a tri-match on Saturday, September 29. They will face Maritime College (3-6) in their opener at 11:00 a.m. before taking on the host team, College of Staten Island (8-4), in their second match of the day at 1:00 p.m.
 
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