JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's volleyball team, on the heals of three consecutive losses, came together to secure a much-needed victory tonight, Friday, Oct. 7, as the Gothic Knights swept non-conference foe Albright College at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) in straight sets (25-18, 25-19, 25-22).
NJCU (11-8) and the Lions (10-7) were even to start in two of the three sets, including the first. Down 5-4 early, the Gothic Knights fired back in the first to take an 8-5 lead on the strength of a pair of kills and an assisted block by senior middle blocker
Leah Seickendick (Hoboken, N.J./Hudson Catholic), who teamed with her classmate and right-side
Paola Toledo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Catolico San Rafael) on that block. However, Albright eventually knotted it back up and took a 13-12 lead. At that point, Jersey City gained control of momentum to the tune of an 8-1 run to take the 20-14 advantage, including kills from sophomore outside hitter
Brenda Gonzalez (Union City, N.J./Dickinson), sophomore middle blocker
Dayshia Espinosa (El Paso, Texas/Pebble Hills) and Toledo, as well as three aces off the fingertips of junior setter
Sydney Lore (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee). The Green and Gold won six of the final 10 points to take the set, winning all those rallies by their own accord and not on Lions' errors. Toledo and sophomore outside hitter
Rachael Pharo (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) each had a pair of kills, while junior outside hitter
Alexis Newsome (Plainfield/Watchung, N.J./Hudson Catholic) notched an ace and Seickendick ended it with a solo stuff.
The second set was all Albright to start as the visitors jumped out to an 11-4 lead. However, the Gothic Knights answered that with an 11-2 run of their own to take the 15-13 lead and put the pressure on the Lions. Over that stretch, Toledo had three more kills, while Seickendick notched a pair (and a block) — junior middle blocker
Ashley Jimenez (West New York, N.J./Memorial) also had a pair of aces. Albright won two straight points to tie it up at 15-15, but once again Jersey City put its fut down and went on an 8-0 run to take a 23-15 lead. Gonzalez and Nguyendon nearly took care of this stretch all by themselves as the former had three kills, while the latter had three aces. After a handful of Lions' points, NJCU managed to put it away thanks to a kill from Lore and another kill from Gonzalez.
Set number three was the most competitive of the night as neither squad led by more than three points throughout. Toledo led Jersey City throughout this one has she had five kills and just one error on nine swings. Additionally, Pharo shifted over to libero and registered nine digs, while Nguyendon stepped into the setter's role and dished out nine more assists. Newsome registered a couple more aces, as well, and eventually NJCU was able to seel it thanks to a kill from Jimenez. Just a few points prior, the junior had the sequence of the night, as well, diving for a stray ball following NJCU's first touch on a rally, toppling over her own bench and hitting it back into play. Immediately after, she successfully dug out the Lions' next attack attempt before Espinosa eventually made it 23-21 with the kill.
Highlights:
- Toledo and Gonzalez were the only players to finish with double-digit kills on the night as the former led all players with a match-best 12, followed by Gonzalez at 10.
- Seickendick had a match-high four total blocks against the Lions, adding six kills and just one error on 12 swings (.417 hitting percentage).
- Lore, who set the first two games, had a match-best 17 assists to go with eight digs, three aces, two blocks and a pair of kills.
- Pharo ended her night with a team-high-tying and season-best 12 digs to go with four kills, three assists and an ace.
- Jimenez had seven digs to go with her three aces and two kills.
- Nguyendon registered her first double-double of the season and 12th of her career with 10 assists and a team-high-tying 12 digs. She also led all players with a match-best five aces.
- Senior defensive specialist
Krista Bartko (Edison, N.J./Edison) finished the night with five digs, as well.
Up Next:
Jersey City returns to action on Tuesday night, Oct. 11, back at the JMAC for their annual
Dig Pink night, which shines a light on Breast Cancer Awareness. The Gothic Knights will face off with New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rival Ramapo College for a scheduled-7:00 p.m. first-serve. Both teams will wear pink ribbons to commemorate the night and Breast Cancer survivors close to anyone involved in Tuesday night's match will be recognized in between the second and third sets.
