JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team reached the 19-win plateau tonight, Thursday, March 31, for the first time since the 2016 season after toppling Skyline Conference foe Yeshiva University in straight sets (25-15, 25-12, 25-11). Prior to the match, the Gothic Knights took a moment to recognize three of its own on Senior Night — Jonathan Andrews (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen), Daniel Esteva (Union, N.J./Union) and Aaron Mantilla (Kearny, N.J./Kearny). Andrews then tied his career-high with a match-best 26 kills, while Mantilla set a career-high with a match-best 41 assists.
 
Once the match got started, as mentioned, Andrews went off for NJCU (19-8, 9-3 Skyline). The senior outside hitter recorded 12 kills in just the first set as Jersey City took the early 1-0 lead over the Maccabees (5-11, 4-9 Skyline). He ended up finishing the night with 26 kills on 43 swings with just five errors (.488 hitting percentage). Making another start on the outside as well was reigning Skyline/New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie of the Week Anthony Trivers (Washington Township, N.J./Washington Township). He finished the match with nine kills and two errors on 17 swings (412). Mantilla, in addition to his 41 helpers, also led all players with a career-best five aces to go with three digs and a kill.

The second set was a bit closer to start as Yeshiva trailed by just four at 12-8. However, at that point, Jersey City flew out to a 9-1 run to take a 21-9 lead. Mantilla had a pair of aces during that run, while Andrews notched two kills and an ace of his own. Overall, the Gothic Knights closed it out 25-12 to go up 2-0. Finally, trailing 5-4 early in the third set, NJCU used a 10-1 run to take control once again and make it 14-6 — Andrews had four more kills during this run, as well. Later on, leading 16-9, the Gothic Knights closed out the set and took the match thanks to a 9-2 run. Junior tri-captain middle blocker Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) had a kill and a block, while sophomore opposite Kenneth Gil (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen) had a kill and a pair of aces during that stretch.

Highlights:
- DaSilva finished with six kills and two errors on eight swings (.500) to go with two solo blocks (a match-high).
- Esteva led NJCU with a team-best eight digs.
- Jersey City was extremely efficient and his a resounding .427 on the night, compared to -.035 for the Maccabees.

Up Next:
NJCU closes out its regular-season on Saturday, April 2, with a Skyline tri-match, hosted by Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. Jersey City will first face the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 1:00 p.m., and then closes out conference play with a 3:00 p.m. match against the hosting Gryphons. Head coach Carlo Edra will enter the day at 99 victories for his career, while he and his team go for the 20-win mark for the first time since the Gothic Knights went 20-16 back in 2009. If they win both matches, the Gothic Knights will have the most wins since 2005 when they won 22 — Edra was a sophomore on that year's squad.