DALLAS, Pa. — The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team took on #19-ranked Nichols College and Elmira College in a pair of neutral matches as part of the Cougar Kickoff Classic on the campus of #15-ranked Misericordia University on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 3. The Gothic Knights kept is close in every set, but unfortunately fell to both the Bisons and Soaring Eagles in three sets.

Rookie Marcus Pardasie (Paramus, N.J./Cresskill) was a standout for NJCU (0-5) once again in the squad's first match of the day against Nichols (10-1), notching a team-best 15 kills with just three errors on 33 swings (.364) and added two blocks and four digs. Additionally, fifth year co-captain middle blocker Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) finished with seven kills, four total blocks and an ace. Sophomore setter Alex Casais (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) dished out a match-high-tying 27 assists to go with four digs and two blocks, while senior outside hitter Mahmoud Serour (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) and fifth-year co-captain libero Nico Figueroa (Jersey City, N.J./County Prep) each notched a match-high-tying seven digs.

Later on in the day against Elmira (5-4), the Green and Gold saw Pardasie notched 10 more kills to lead his squad, while DaSilva had six kills, three blocks and two digs. Casias' 21 assists led NJCU, as well, as he added three blocks and two digs. Sophomore middle blocker Amaru Perales (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) had a match-best four total blocks to go with four kills and a dig. Figueroa finished his weekend with a match-best 10 digs, as well.

Up Next:
NJCU looks to capture that ever-illusive first victory of the season on the road on Thursday night, Feb. 8, in Langhorne, Pa., as the squad takes on Cairn University at 7:00 p.m. The Green and Gold last faced the Highlanders back in January of 2020, topping them in three sets.