JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team played in its first home match of the 2024 season against #14 New York University tonight, Feb. 27, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC). The Gothic Knights were supposed to play their first match on Charlie Brown Court a couple of weeks ago against Saint Elizabeth University. Due to that match-up being postponed and rescheduled to tomorrow, Feb. 28, NJCU would instead its first home match of the season against the Violets.

The Green and Gold (3-8) would ultimately fall in three sets to a solid NYU (6-5) squad. Fifth year middle blocker Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) and graduate opposite James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) each finished with eight kills on the evening. Bajor and reigning four-time New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Rookie of the Week Marcus Pardasie (Paramus, N.J./Cresskill) recorded a team-high six digs, respectively.

NJCU kept the first set close, trailing NYU 11-10 after a 5-2 run orchestrated by Bajor and senior outside Mahdmoud Serour. The Violets responded with an 8-2 run of their own, en route to taking the first set 25-18. They continued the momentum into set two, erupting for a 13-4 run to start the second game. The Green and Gold struggled to cool off NYU and went on to fall 25-12. NJCU took its first lead of the game to start off the third, courtesy of a service ace by sophomore setter Alex Casais (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne). NYU responded similarly to how the squad did in the second, this time with an 8-3 run, and went on to hold the lead for the remainder of the set.

Up Next:
It's a quick turnaround for NJCU, as they return to the JMAC tomorrow, Feb. 28, for a rescheduled tilt against Saint Elizabeth. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. at the JMAC.