Box Score PURCHASE, N.Y. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Junior middle hitter Julian Moreira (Miami, FL/Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Biscayne Bay Campus) had his first true action of the 2019 season and the top offensive player from the 2018 season helped the 2019 New Jersey City University men's volleyball team (3-2) move over .500 with a 3-1 (25-16, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19) non-conference victory over Purchase College on February 7.
 
Moreira blasted 10 kills and hit .438 (10-3-16) and both outside hitters, sophomore Jonathan Andrews (North Bergen, NJ/North Bergen) and freshman Leo Ferrari (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) both contributed. Ferrari, the New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week, had a near double-double with nine kills, hitting .316 (9-3-19) and 10 digs, adding two service aces. Andrews defended 10 digs, adding seven kills and three aces.
 
Also for NJCU, freshman Aaron Mantilla (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) and sophomore Alexander Umanzor (West New York, NJ/Memorial) did an admirable job splitting the setting duties. Mantilla had 19 assists and Umanzor added 18 assists and two aces. Sophomore right side Joseph Stawicki (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) contributed seven kills and sophomore middle hitter Christian Ramirez (West New York, NJ/Memorial) hit .300 with six kills.
 
The Panthers (2-5) received 15 digs from freshman libero Joey Dyckman (Verplanck, N.Y.) and a team-high nine kills from senior outside Luke Kubisch (Delmar, N.Y.) in 29 attempts (.069, seven errors). Junior setter Andreo Otiniano (Mamaroneck, N.Y.)  finished with 16 assists.
 
NJCU played consistently throughout the match, posting a sideout percentage between 58 and 68 percent in each set.
 
'SETTING' IT UP

• In the first set, NJCU led wire to wire despite hitting -.065 (6-8-31). Why? Because the Panthers were limited to a -.200 attack percentage with only three kills and nine errors. NJCU opened up early leads of 11-3 and 15-4. Leading 24-10, Purchase staved off six match points, aided by five Gothic Knight errors, but still won 25-16.
• In the second set, there were 12 ties and three lead changed. NJCU trailed 20-19 before the Panthers scored the next four points (24-19) and prevailed, 25-20.
• The third set saw 11 ties and five lead changes. Trailing 21-20, NJCU battled back to take the lead on a kill by Moreira and a Ferrari ace. After PC tied it on a kill (22-22), two errors by the hosts put NJCU back on top, 24-22. NJCU clinched the set on a service error.
• In the fourth set, NJCU blitzed the Panthers, hitting a ridiculous .520 with 17 kills (17-4-25). NJCU led from start to finish. It scored five of the first six points and led 10-4 and 16-8 before pulling away.

 
OF NOTE:

• Series: 19th meeting in a series NJCU has dominated, 17-2.
• Moreira reached double figures in kills for the first time this season and the 27th time in 54 matches in his NJCU career.

 
UP NEXT:
NJCU plays its home opener on Tuesday, February 12 (7 pm) against Baruch College at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (Coach Charlie Brown Court). It will be the first meeting since February 5, 2013. It will be the 30th meeting. NJCU leads the all-time series, 15-14. Baruch has won the last four meetings.
 
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