WAYNE, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's volleyball team got off to a strong start on Tuesday evening, Sept. 28, as the Gothic Knights went head-to-head with New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) foe William Paterson University on the road, however NJCU was unable to hold off a comeback by the hosting Pioneers and fell to WPU in four sets (25-22, 24-26, 16-25, 21-25).

As mentioned, Jersey City (8-2, 1-2 NJAC) got things started on the right foot with the first-set victory against William Paterson (8-5, 2-2 NJAC). Unfortunately, the Pioneers seized momentum thanks to a hard-fought second set, extra point victory and never let it go as they took down the Gothic Knights. NJCU actually held set point at 24-23 and was looking directly at a 2-0 lead in the match, however WPU managed to take three straight points to tie it up at 1-1.

JC did have some solid individual performances on the night despite the loss, most impressively from senior libero Krista Bartko (Edison, N.J./Edison) and reigning NJAC Rookie of the Week, outside hitter Rachael Pharo (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional). Bartko led NJCU with a career-high 18 digs, just one shy of tying the game-high, while Pharo recorded the fourth double-double of her young career after totaling a team-high-tying 12 kills to go with 15 digs and a pair of assists. Junior right-side hitter Paolo Toledo also finished the night with 12 kills with just three errors on 34 swings (.265 hitting percentage) to go with a pair of blocks and two digs.

Senior middle blocker Leah Seickendick (Hoboken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) continued her run of efficiency — she has now hit above .400 in four straight matches — by leading all players with a match-best .471 hitting percentage. She ended the night with eight error-less kills on 17 swings to go with a match-high four total blocks. The 6-foot middle is currently tied for second in the NJAC in blocks per set (0.79). Sophomore setter Sydney Lore (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) also had a good night with a 35-assist performance to go with five aces, three kills, two blocks and a career-high 16 digs for the fourth double-double of her season and her career, and her second in as many matches.

Last but not least, senior Madeline Lopez (Elizabeth, N.J./Hudson Catholic) made her return from injury a couple matches prior and played all four sets on the night. She registered 11 digs, one ace and one assist.

What's Next:
The Gothic Knights look to shake this one off as they head into the weekend with a trio of non-conference matches at the Skidmore Classic, hosted by Skidmore College on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1-2, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. NJCU first meets with Russell Sage College on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. before facing off with the hosting Thoroughbreds on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. The Gothic Knights close out the weekend with a 1:30 p.m. match that same day against the Massachusets College of Liberal Arts.