JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Rowan University had nearly twice as many kills as the New Jersey City University women's volleyball team—a 43-22 differential—and swept the Gothic Knights on Senior Night at John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court) on October 22. The Profs prevailed, 25-19, 25-17, 25-20.
 
It was a critical win for Rowan (14-14, 6-1 NJAC) which pulled into a second-place tie with Kean with one New Jersey Athletic Conference match remaining. The Profs beat Kean on the road earlier this season and would earn a first-round bye with a win on October 29 against Rutgers-Newark.
 
With the loss, NJCU (6-15, 0-7-0 NJAC) was eliminated from NJAC Tournament contention. Prior to the match the Gothic Knights honored its two four-year seniors—outside hitter Stephanie Duque (West New York, NJ/Memorial) and middle blocker and team captain Diana Trochimowicz (Linden, NJ/Linden).

 
In defeat for NJCU, freshman libero Bella Sunahara (Parker, CO/Legend) had her third consecutive effort of 20+ digs, finishing with 21 and three aces. Freshman outside Xarial Chandler (East Orange, NJ/University) had 11 kills—her seventh double-digit kill effort this season and third in a row—adding eight digs. Freshman setter Katrina Nguyendon (Union, NJ/Union) collected 19 assists and sophomore middle blocker Leah Seickendick (Hoboken, NJ/Hudson Catholic) had four blocks.
 
Rowan had double figures in kills in all three sets—11, 15 and 17—hitting .210 overall (43-18-119) while limiting NJCU to a team .030 attack. Sophomore outside hitter Natalie Ogden (Downingtown, Pa.) led all players with 13 kills at a .267 percentage (13-5-30), while defending 15 digs for a double-double. Sophomore middle hitter Cassidy Abdalla (Eagleville, Pa.) finished with 12 kills and hit .304 (12-5-23). Junior setter Tori Mock (Chadds Ford, Pa.) handed out 38 assists and nine digs.
 
Also for the Profs, senior outside Megan Jacobi (Brick, N.J.) chipped in nine kills and junior middle Lauren Horbacewicz (Toms River, N.J.) had just one attack error with six kills (6-1-17, .294) and four blocks. Freshman libero Simone Sparano (Phoenixville, Pa.) defended 17 digs,
 
Rowan jumped out to an 11-2 lead in game one before pulling away. NJCU trailed 14-11 in game two before scoring four consecutive points, led by a kill by Duque and a block combo by Chandler and Trochimowicz, before claiming s 15-14 lead. But after a timeout, the Profs came back out focused and scored 11 of the final 13 points to clinch the set, including the final five consecutive points. Ogden had four kills during the run.
 
Leading 14-11 in game three, Jacobi had three kills to spark a 5-0 run that allowed the guests to take a 19-11 lead. NJCU whittled the deficit to 22-19 before Rowan scored three of the final four points to seal the win.
 
 OF NOTE:

• Series vs. Rowan: 35th meeting. Profs lead, 32-3, and have won the last 13 meetings.
• Sunahara tallied her fifth career match with 20+ digs and she has reached double figures in digs in 12 of her 18 career matches. 

 
UP NEXT:

• NJCU will play its final two home matches of the season on Saturday, October 26 when it hosts a non-conference tri-match vs. Maritime (11 a.m.) and FDU-Florham (3 p.m.); those schools will play a neutral court match at 1 p.m.

 
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