JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team faced off with first-place St. Joseph's University-Long Island on Thursday evening, March 30, in a Skyline Conference match at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC). The Gothic Knights hung tough with the back-to-back conference champs throughout, but eventually fell in three sets (25-21, 25-12, 25-17).

NJCU (16-9, 9-4 Skyline) took it to the Golden Eagles (18-7, 12-0 Skyline) in the first set, falling by just four points, 25-21. St. Joe's used a quick 5-0 run early on to make it 11-5 before the Gothic Knights clawed back to make it 14-10, including kills from freshman middle Amaru Perales (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) and senior opposite James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), as well as an ace from junior defensive specialist Leandro Perez (Elizabeth, N.J./Kearny). Then, trailing 17-0, Jersey City climbed back in once again to make it a three-point game on several occasions, as late as 24-21. That run included three kills from senior middle Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny). Unfortunately, St. Joe's took the set by four.

Senior outside hitter Nico Figueroa (Jersey City, N.J./County Prep) played a big role late in the match and finished with six kills, five of which came in the third set. Additionally, freshman outside Victor De Souza (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) saw some expanded playing time, getting action in all three sets for three kills on six swings with just one error (.333 hitting percentage) to go with five digs. Senior setter Leo Ferrari (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) dished out 25 assists to go with a pair of digs, while senior libero Daniel Esteva (Union, N.J./Union) led all players with a match-best 11 digs.

Up Next:
This was the second-to-last Skyline match of the season for Jersey City as the squad returns to action on on Tuesday, April 4, for a road match at St. Joseph's University-Brooklyn at 7:00 p.m. NJCU's home regular-season finale takes place back at the JMAC on Friday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. for Senior Night.