MORRISTOWN, N.J. – After defeating the Kean University Cougars in straight sets for the first time in program history last week, the New Jersey City University men's volleyball team returned to the court today, Feb. 14, in victorious fashion. NJCU celebrated their Valentine's Day with a win in straight sets (25-18, 25-18, 25-22) against Saint Elizabeth University, moving back to .500 on the season. The squad was led by junior tri-captain
Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny), as he finished with a match- and season-high 10 kills. Senior setter
Leo Ferrari (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) was dishing out assists throughout the match, as well, finishing with a match-high 25 assists.
NJCU (4-4) started off slow the first set, falling behind 3-0 early. The squad stopped the early run by the Eagles (3-1), after junior tri-captain
James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) slammed the first kill of the match. DaSilva followed up with two kills of his own, tying the set back at 4-4. The Green and Gold made a run (5-0) to separate themselves from the Eagles. This run was led by freshman
Nate Aguilar (Kearny, N.J./Kearny), securing his first three kills of the match in a five-point stretch. The newcomer for NJCU finished the match with six kills, a career-high for Aguilar. NJCU didn't let the Eagles comeback, going on a 10-3 run to win the set 25-18. In a set of runs, the veterans for NJCU finished up this one for the squad with a kill from senior
Jonathan Andrews (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen), a kill by DaSilva and DaSilva/Andrews coming together at the end to win the set on a block.
Heading into the second set, NJCU looked to continue its blazing start against the Eagles and did just that. Starting the match on a 5-2 run, NJCU secured another two kills from DaSilva and one from Bajor. Sophomore
Mahmoud Serour (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) joined in on the offensive success for the squad, capturing two kills of his own to give the Gothic Knights a 7-5 lead. This was the best performance of the year for Serour, who finished with his season-high five kills today. The squad gave Saint Elizabeth room to fly and come back, falling on 5-0 run to cut the deficit to two. But Serour and Andrews came up with clutch kills from the outside, giving the Gothic Knights a four-point lead. To end the set, Ferrari dished out two assists to DaSilva and Andrews, followed up by an Andrews block to secure the 25-18, second set victory.
The Gothic Knights put the pressure on the Eagles in the third set early, starting off the game on a 9-5 run. The squad had four kills during this stretch, including three from freshman outside hitter
Anthony Trivers (Washington Township, N.J./Washington Township). Trivers ended his match with four kills, which set a career-high for the young Gothic Knight. SEU came back with three unanswered points, but the squad found success behind the service line. NJCU went on a 8-0 run, serving up four aces in that span. Trivers secured the first two aces of his career and senior setter
Aaron Mantilla (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) captured two aces of his own. The Green and Gold did not waste any time, as kills from DaSilva and Trivers wrapped things up for the match, winning 25-22 and completing the sweep of the Eagles.
UP NEXT:
Jersey City will return home to the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) for the first time this season against John Jay College this Friday, Feb. 18. Come celebrate the squad as they receive their 2021 Skyline Conference championship rings during a pre-match ceremony, as well.
