JERSEY CITY, N.J. — For the first time since since September 19, 2017, the New Jersey City University women's volleyball team has picked up a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) victory after the Gothic Knights defeated William Paterson University at home tonight, Thursday, March 11, in four sets (25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 25-16) at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC).

NJCU (1-2, 1-2 NJAC) was riding a tough streak, both in NJAC competition and against William Paterson (0-4, 0-4), having not beaten the Pioneers since September 23, 2008. Thanks to some all-around play from several members of the squad, as well as strong defense at the net — the Gothic Knights outblocked WPU 10-4 overall — both streaks have come to a resounding close with tonight's four-set victory. Individually, freshman setter Sydney Lore (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) was everything NJCU needed and more on the night. The rookie was third on the team with nine kills on 13 swings with just one error to hit .615 percent. She added 12 assists, nine digs (second on the team) and one ace as well.

The key to the night was that the Gothic Knights were able to close out the tough sets, winning the first two 25-22 and 25-23, respectively. The first started out all NJCU as the home squad jumped out to a 9-3 lead. However, William Paterson clawed its way back in and eventually we were tied at 21-21. The Gothic Knights were able to bear down and finish the set on a 4-1 run to take it by three points. The second set was much of the same, with neither team able to pull away. In fact, after several back-and-fourth rallies, the Pioneers grasped the lead at 23-22 toward the end of the set. Once again, NJCU was able to nail down the next three points to take the set 25-23, with Lore putting the exclamation on the game herself with a kill to seal it.

Set number three started out all Pioneers, and though the Gothic Knights were able to recover, they were never able to quite chip away at that initial lead and fell 25-18. Not to worry though, as NJCU flew out of the gates in the fourth to the tune of an 8-2 start, including kills from Lore and fellow freshman Taylor-Michelle Coriolan (Roselle, N.J./Roselle Catholic). The Gothic Knights were able to stretch their lead to as many as 10 points at 20-10 before closing out the set at 25-16 and the match at 3-1.

Highlights:
- Freshman Ashley Jiminez (West New York, N.J./Memorial) was a force at the net all night and finished with a match-high six total blocks to go with three kills and a dig.
- Coriolan led NJCU with 11 kills. She added five digs and three blocks.
- Junior Yaidettive Vega (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson) was right there with 10 kills and five errors on 22 swings (.277), adding a pair of blocks.
- Junior Leah Seickendick (Hoboken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) had five kills on 13 swings with one error (.308) to go with four total blocks.
- Junior Madeline Lopez (Elizabeth, N.J./Hudson Catholic) got the nod at libero and finished with a match-high-tying 14 digs. She added five assists.
- Freshman Daniella Martinez (Park Ridge, N.J./Academy of the Holy Angels) led NJCU with 17 assists and added six digs and a pair of aces.

What's Next:
The Gothic Knights will take a day's respite before returning to action at home at the JMAC on Saturday night, March 13, for a 6:00 p.m. match against Kean University. This is a makeup of the match originally scheduled for March 2. Make sure to catch all the action live on GothicVision and via stats.