JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Ramapo College extended its winning streak over the New Jersey City University men's volleyball team as the Roadrunners defeated NJCU, 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 28-26) on February 26 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court).
 
In the first-ever NJAC home-court match for NJCU in its history, the Gothic Knights (4-6, 0-2 NJAC) committed 23 attack errors and doomed their opportunity to upend Ramapo (7-7, 1-0 NJAC). It was the first-ever NJAC match for Ramapo. The 2019 season is the first year the NJAC is sponsoring men's volleyball. The final set saw a remarkable 20 ties.
 
Ramapo was led by 6-foot-7 sophomore middle blocker Conor Charlow (Towson, Md.) who NJCU could not match up with. He had seven blocks—five solo—hit .556 with five kills and no errors (5-0-9) and landed three of the Roadrunners five aces.
 
Sophomore middle Julian Moreira (Miami, FL/Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Biscayne Bay Campus) stuffed five blocks (two solo) and had four kills for NJCU. Sophomore outside hitter Jonathan Andrews (North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) finished with seven kills and seven digs. Sophomore right side Joseph Stawicki (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) finished with four kills and two blocks.
 
The first set was competitive for a while as the clubs traded 10 ties and six lead changes. But tied at 10-10, Ramapo scored the next six points, aided by four NJCU attack errors, and reeled off a 10-1 run to seize a 20-11 lead to claim the opening game. NJCU hit -.391 in the opening set with two kills and 11 attack errors (23 attempts). NJCU had an 8-6 edge in kills in game two but Ramapo led from start to finish to take a 2-0 lead.
 
In an entertaining third set that saw eight lead changes to go along with the staggering 20 ties, no team led by more than two points and NJCU had a chance to extend the match to four sets. Freshman setter Aaron Mantilla (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) had a dump on two for a 23-22 lead and freshman outside Leo Ferrari (Kearny, NJ/Kearny), the four-time defending NJAC Rookie of the Week, put one away for set point, 24-23. But Charlow had a kill and a block to turn the tables, 25-24. NJCU would tie it at 25-25 with a huge swing by freshman middle Jeffry Rodriguez (Elizabeth, NJ/John E. Dwyer Technology AcademyElizabeth, N.J. (John E. Dwyer Technology Academy) and the teams would trade another tie at 26-26 after a pair of service errors. RCNJ completed the sweep when it regained the lead on a blocking error, and an ace by Charlow sealed it, 28-26.
 
Freshman outside Andrew Finnegan (Colts Neck, N.J./Colts Neck) had six kills, seven digs and two aces and freshman setter Josh Titus (Mechanicsberg, Pa.) delivered 18 assists. Sophomore outside Tanner Depuyt (Jefferson, N.J./Pope John) had four kills (.375) in one set of action.
   
OF NOTE:

• 66th meeting. Ramapo leads all-time series, 55-11, and have won the last 26 meetings since 2006.

 
UP NEXT:
NJCU plays its third consecutive home match on Thursday, February 28 at 7 p.m. against the College of Mount Saint Vincent (1-4). It will be the 55th meeting between the programs; NJCU has a 29-25 all-time lead.
 
GOTHIC KNIGHTS on SOCIAL MEDIA:
For the latest on NJCU men's volleyball and #NJCUMVB, follow the Gothic Knights on social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SnapChat. Preferred hashtags are #GothicGameDay and #GothicFamily.