UNION, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's volleyball team faced off with Kean University on Thursday evening, Oct. 14, in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) competition. The Gothic Knights pushed the Cougars in each set, however Kean took the match 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-17).

NJCU (11-6, 1-5 NJAC) was led by a pair of juniors offensively as middle blocker Xarial Chandler (East Orange, N.J./University) and right-side hitter Paola Toledo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Catolico San Rafael) each finished with seven kills apiece. Toledo also chipped in a career-best four total blocks, while Chandler notched six digs and a block against the Cougars (11-9, 4-2 NJAC). Senior middle blocker Leah Seickendick (Hoboken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) ended her night with six kills and four blocks, while sophomore setter Sydney Lore (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) tied the match high with 24 assists to go with four kills, three digs and a block.

Defensively, three Gothic Knights ended the match with double-digit dig totals, in addition to Toledo and Seickendick's blocking performances. Senior libero Madeline Lopez (Elizabeth, N.J./Hudson Catholic) tied the match high with a career-best 18 digs, adding two aces, an assist and a kill. Rookie outside hitter Rachael Pharo (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) and junior defensive specialist Katrina Nguyendon (Union, N.J./Union) each recoded 10 digs apiece. The former also had one kill and an assist, while the latter finished with an ace and an assist.

What's Next:
No rest for the weary, however, as NJCU returns to action for its third match in four days tomorrow evening, Friday, Oct. 15. The Gothic Knights hit the road for a 7:00 p.m. non-conference match in Brooklyn, N.Y., against Brooklyn College. The following afternoon, Saturday, Oct. 16, NJCU then welcomes Alvernia University to the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) for a 12:00 p.m. non-conference match.