WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team swept through Wilkes University on Friday, Feb. 25. This is the Gothic Knight's fourth win against the Colonels in as many meetings, however, this was the first in straight sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-14).

Junior captain Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) paved the way for Jersey City (8-4) with an immediate kill. Freshman Mike McGehee (Avondale, Ariz./Agua Fria) and junior captains James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) and Hanel Collado (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen) added to the kill list, putting NJCU at 7-7 with Wilkes (8-10). A couple errors by the home team and additional kills from DaSilva allowed Jersey City to jump 13-8. Senior Jonathan Andrews (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen) decided to join the party, adding three kills – assisted by senior setter Leo Ferrari (Kearny, N.J./Kearny). Ferrari led with a total of 33 assists by the end of tonight's match. DaSilva, Collado and Andrews each tallied another kill, putting NJCU up 24-16. Ferrari finished off the set with his own kill, assisted by Collado.

Following two attack errors from Wilkes, Ferrari served up an ace to put the Gothic Knights in a short lead. Back on the grind, DaSilva, Collado, McGehee and Andrews found kills, leading 10-9.  The Colonels weren't backing down, keeping the game close. Although Wilkes never found a lead, a couple kills and NJCU errors put the game at 19-18. Jersey City picked up momentum, finishing off the set 25-20 with three kills by Ferrari and a kill and ace by Bajor.

Wilkes took the lead in the third set following two NJCU attack errors. Nevertheless, the Gothic Knights bounced back with kills from Andrews, Bajor and DaSilva. Ferrari and Andrews also struck some service aces, putting NJCU in the lead 6-3. Wilkes stayed close, tying the set 11-11. At this point, the Green and Gold kicked on the afterburners. Kills by junior Chris Castillo (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech), DaSilva and Andrews grew the lead to 17-11. Moments later, NJCU was up 20-13, only dropping two service errors. Andrews, Bajor, DaSilva and Collado all added kills to put the Gothic Knights up 24-14. Bajor closed out the match with a kill, assisted by Ferrari.

Highlights:
- The team made a total of 47 kills tonight: DaSilva led with 12 kills, followed by Andrews and Bajor, who each had 11.
- Ferrari had a game-high 33 assists; the Colonel's highest only tallied 10 assists.   
- Bajor led with nine digs, while senior Daniel Esteva (Union, N.J./Union) and Collado notched eight and six, respectively.
- Collado and McGehee recorded two blocks tonight; DaSilva followed with one.
- Ferrari held a team-high of three aces; Andrews, Bajor and McGehee each tallied a single ace. 

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights will compete in the Misericordia Tri-Match in Dallas, Pa., tomorrow, Saturday Feb. 26. Jersey City will first play against the Golden Wolves of Alvernia University (3:00 p.m.) and then the host team, Misericordia University at 5:00 p.m.