JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team dominated both matches at the NJCU Tri-Match, hosted at the John J. Moore Athletics & Fitness Center (JMAC) on Saturday, February 4. The Gothic Knights got back on track, earning commanding wins over Kean University and The College at Old Westbury after falling to the #1-ranked Stevens earlier this week.

NJCU 3, Kean 0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-17)
Jersey City (3-2) opened up the morning facing off against the hungry Cougars (1-3) who were looking for their first win of the season. While the Gothic Knights won the match in three sets, Kean kept the it close the entire way. The difference maker for NJCU though came in the second set as, after trailing the entirety of the set and down 19-17, senior outside hitter Leo Ferrari (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) changed NJCU's momentum, scoring a loud kill to cut the deficit to one.

NJCU from that point on looked unstoppable, as the squad went on a 6-1 run, taking its first lead in the second set, 24-20. Ferrari also went on to earn a team-high six kills, including one in the closing portion of the set after the momentum changing kill. NJCU won set two 25-22. NJCU carried that momentum into the third set holding the lead majority of the way through and won 25-17 to seal the game in straight sets.

After the first match, Kean went on to play Old Westbury (0-2), where the Cougars walked out earning their first win of the season. This allowed NJCU some time to evaluate and plan for the second match against the Panthers as head coach Carlo Edra decided to utilize the second game as an opportunity to maximize live game chances for his younger players.

NJCU 3, Old Westbury 0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-9)
The Gothic Knights closed out the tri-match hot as they dominated in a clean sweep of the Panthers. Freshman outside hitter Victor De Souza (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) played the strongest three sets of his young Gothic Knight career as he led the squad with nine kills in the match. Freshman outside hitter Ethan Lugo also stood out as he played a huge role both offensively and defensively as he tallied eight kills, a team-high seven digs and two service aces. Lastly, despite only playing in the third set on the floor, freshman opposite Jinsoo Han (Chungju, South Korea/Taejon Christian International School) was sensational in the closing set, tallying five kills, three digs, an assist, a service ace and a block for 6.5 points, aiding in sealing the teams strongest set in the early season. 

Up Next:
The Green and Gold head to Glenside, Pa., Saturday, Feb. 11, as they take on Baruch College in the first day of the Arcadia University Tournament. It will be the first of three matches NJCU will play over the weekend as the squad also faces Eastern Mennonite University and Arcadia the following day,  Sunday, Feb. 12. The first matc is slated to begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Alumni Gymnasium.