BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Despite being pushed to the brink in each set, the New Jersey City University women's volleyball team managed to hold on all three times and come away with a well-earned 3-0 (25-22, 26-24, 25-23) victory on Friday night, Oct. 15, in a non-conference road match over Brooklyn College.

The Gothic Knights (12-6) entered the night against one of the CUNYAC's most competitive teams in the Bulldogs (10-9) and earned every point against Brooklyn. In the first set, NJCU had to immediately turn its game on after falling behind 9-3 early but was able to come all the way back and knot it up at 14-14. The teams traded points until Brooklyn took a 19-18 lead. Jersey City won the next four points to take a 22-19 before splitting the final six points of the set to take the 1-0 lead.

Set number to saw the Knights and Bulldogs battle to extra points before NJCU won 26-24. It was Jersey City that took the early lead this time after jumping out to a 7-3 lead before Brooklyn tied it up at 12-12 with a small run of its own. The Gothic Knights held the slight advantage moving forward and was looking at going up 2-0 leading 23-19 before the Bulldogs made a huge run to take the 24-23 lead. However NJCU won the final three points of the set to come from behind.

In the third set, leading 9-7, the Gothic Knights went on a an 8-2 run to take a 17-9 lead and looked well on their way to an easy 3-0 win. Even more so, NJCU cleaned out the Bulldogs to the tune of a 23-14 lead, and then a 24-15 lead for match point. Brooklyn then pulled out an 8-0 run to make it 24-23, however the Gothic Knights were able to take a breath, re-focus and win the match's final point to take the set 25-23 and win it in three.

Highlights:
- Freshman outside hitter Rachael Pharo (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) led all players with a match-best 12 kills to go with a team-high-tying 12 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. She also notched a season-best three total blocks.
- Junior middle blocker Xarial Chandler (East Orange, N.J./University) finished with eight kills and just one error on 17 swings (.412 hitting percentage) to go with three digs and a pair of solo blocks.
- Freshman outside hitter Dayshia Espinosa (El Paso, Texas/Pebble Hills) had her strongest match of her early collegiate career, finishing with seven kills and just one error on 19 swings (.316).
- Junior defensive specialist Katrina Nguyendon (Union, N.J./Union) tied Pharo for the team high with a season-best 12 digs, adding a pair of assists and an ace.
- Junior right-side hitter Paola Toledo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Catolico San Rafael) had the second-highest kill total on the night with nine.
- Senior middle blocker Leah Seickendick (Hoboken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) totaled three kills and a match-best four total blocks, including three solo stuffs.
- Sophomore setter Sydney Lore (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) dished out a match-high 32 assists to go with seven digs and a solo block.
- Senior libero Madeline Lopez (Elizabeth, N.J./Hudson Catholic) totaled 11 digs, two aces and two assists.

What's Next:
After what is likely to be a good night's rest following tonight's victory, the Gothic Knights immediately return to action tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, Oct. 16, for another non-conference match. This one is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m. and will be hosted by NJCU at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) against Alvernia University. It is Jersey City's third straight match and fourth in five days.