JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Coming off their historic victory on Tuesday night over fellow New Jersey Athletic Conference foe Rutgers-Newark, the New Jersey City University women's volleyball team collected their fourth straight win in sweeping fashion at the JMAC, tonight, Sept. 15. The squad won three consecutive sets (25-6, 25-9, 25-7) against Medgar Evers College and have won their last 12 sets during the win streak.
NJCU (4-2, 1-0 NJAC) started from behind early in the first-set, as the Cougars (0-5-0-0) took an early 3-1 lead, but it didn't take long for the squad to go on a blazing 16-0 run to regain control of the set. Junior captain Sydney Lore (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) led the charge, capturing seven aces during the stretch. The setter led everybody on the court today with 23 dimes and eight aces.
The next two sets were very similar for Jersey City's team, with the squad going on a 17-3 in the second-set and 16-2 in the third-set to capture the sweep. In set-two, the Gothic Knights started on a 7-0 run, led by senior captain Katrina Nguyendon (Union, N.J./Union), who collected three service-aces in the span. Shortly after two quick points from the Cougars, the squad put the pressure right back on Medgar Evers with seven-straight points to take a commanding lead and the set in comfortable fashion.
With the Cougars needing a set to keep the match going, the team from N.Y. started off the third-set by jumping out to a 3-2 lead. The Gothic Knights were unshakable, as they relentlessly captured 16 of the next 19 points to run away with the three set victory.
The Gothic Knights were very successful in the middle of the court all night, as sophomore Dayshia Espinosa (El Paso, Texas/Pebble Hills) had a team and career-high 11 kills in the victory. Also, the Texas native led the squad with 13 total points and stuffed her first block of the season.
Making the most of her first career start in the Green and Gold was sophomore Kiki Lugo (Kearny, N.J./Kearny), as she exploded for seven kills on the night, including her first ever point, and collected a dig. Also, fellow sophomore Brenda Gonzalez (Union City, N.J./Dickinson) followed up her career-high six kill performance against Rutgers-Newark with seven kills tonight in the victory.
Highlights:
- Senior captain Katrina Nguyendon (Union, N.J./Union) led the team with five digs and collected five service aces.
- Junior hitter Ashley Jimenez (West New York, N.J./Memorial) mashed six kills and had one dig.
- Junior hitter Paola Toledo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Catolico San Rafael) rocketed three kills, three digs and one service ace.
Up Next:
NJCU returns to the court this Saturday, Sept. 17th, in Bryn Mawr, Pa. to compete in the "Bryn Mawr Tri-Match". The squad will play twice during the Tri-Match, with their first match coming against Bryn Athyn College at 1:00 p.m. and their second matchup against the host, Bryn Mawr College at 3:00 p.m. Jersey City's team will look to contitue their success against both schools, as the Gothic Knights are 3-1 against Bryn Athyn and 2-1 against Bryn Mawr.
