JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team, facing off with first-year program Drew University at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) on Wednesday night, March 2, picked up the straight-set victory (25-14, 25-21, 26-24) over the Rangers. Sophomore outside hitter Mahmoud Serour (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) was the offensive focal point for NJCU on the night.

The Gothic Knights (10-5) have now won eight for their last night matches this season following tonight's victory over Drew (6-10). A total of 14 Green and Gold members saw the court tonight, with only Serour and junior tri-captain opposite James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) playing all three sets.

Set number one saw NJCU put out its near-regular starting lineup and senior outside hitter Jonathan Andrews (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen) dominated in his brief action. He recorded five kills on eight swings with one error (.500 hitting percentage) in this set, his only action of the night. Andrews got things going with back-to-back kills to begin the match before NJCU jumped out to a nice lead. Jersey City doubled up the Rangers on several occasions, winning points in bunches of two or three at a time before taking the set by 11.

The second set saw Serour, Bajor and freshman middle blocker Nate Aguilar (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) split the offensive duties with three kills apiece. Additionally, after uncharacteristically not recording any blocks as a team in the first set, junior tri-captain middle blocker Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) notched a pair of blocks, as did senior setter Leo Ferrari (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) in this set. It was a much closer contest in the second compared to the first, as Drew managed to jump out to an 8-3 lead to start. Then, still trailing by four at 14-10, the Gothic Knights turned on the thrusters with a 6-1 run to take the 16-15 lead, their first of the set — Bajor and Serour notched kills, combined with four Ranger errors. Drew retook a 17-16 lead, but NJCU went on another 6-1 run behind Bajor, Serour and Aguilar before eventually closing out the set 25-21.

The night's final set was a doozy as the Rangers pushed Jersey City to extra points. Serour was a model of efficiency in this one as he was 7-for-7 on attack attempts — he also notched a pair of blocks. The Gothic Knights flew out of the gates initially, taking a 9-4 lead to start. However, Drew managed to stay within striking distance and NJCU led by five at 23-18. The Rangers than took six of the next seven to make it 24-24 before Serour closed out the night with his 12th and final kill to seal it at 26-24.

Highlights:
- Serour was 12-of-17 with just one error (.647) to go with a match-high-tying eight digs (ties a career-best) and a pair of blocks.
- Bajor and DaSilva each finished with six kills. Bajor added seven digs and an ace, while DaSilva had a pair of blocks, a dig and an ace as well.
- Ferrari and fellow senior setter Aaron Mantilla (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) combined for 33 assists (21 for Ferrari). Ferrari also recorded six digs, two aces and two blocks, while Mantilla had four digs.
- In just one set, freshman outside hitter Anthony Trivers (Washington Township, N.J./Washington Township) recorded six digs.

Up Next:
NJCU returns to Skyline Conference action for the first time in over a month this Sunday, March 6, for a tri-match in Patchogue, N.Y. The Gothic Knights first match up with perennial Skyline power St. Joseph's College-L.I. (the tri-match host) at 10:00 a.m., follwed by a scheduled-12:00 p.m. clash with Yeshiva University.