JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's volleyball team made it five consecutive victories, all in Skyline Conference play, on Thursday night, March 7, at home at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC). NJCU defeated the University of Mount Saint Vincent in straight sets and have won its last five in sweeping fashion.



The Gothic Knights (8-8, 5-0 Skyline) started off trailing UMSV (2-6, 1-3 Skyline) by one at 5-4 early on in the first set. NJCU then rattled off 17 straight points to take a 21-5 lead over the Dolphins before taking the set, 25-7. Graduate student co-captain opposite James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) dominated the majority of the first game, notching three kills on four swings without an error and had five aces to go with six digs.

Set number two was a bit closer, with the Green and Gold leading by just one at 9-8 a third of the way in. NJCU then enjoyed a 9-2 run to go up 18-10. The Dolphins cut the deficit to five on several occasions down the stretch, but the Gothic Knights came away with the six-point, 25-19 set win to go up 2-0 in the match. Fifth year co-captain middle blocker Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) was the lead in this one, notching five kills on six swings without an error, adding an ace and a block.

Game three started similarly, with UMSV taking the early 6-5 lead, but once again NJCU answered with another dominant offensive stretch, 15-3, to take control at 20-9 before winning the set 25-12 and the match overall in three sets. Sophomore middle blocker Amaru Perales (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) had a pair of kills on two swings and added three total blocks in the third, while rookie outside hitter Marcus Pardasie (Paramus, N.J./Cresskill) had two kills and two aces.

Highlights:
- Bajor saw two sets of action and led all players in digs (8) and aces (5), adding seven kills with just one error on 14 swings (.429 hitting percentage).
- Pardasie once again led all players in kills (9) with just one error on 19 swings (.421), adding three digs and a pair of aces.
- Perales was a perfect 5-of-5 on attack attempts (1.000), led all players with six total blocks and chipped in three digs.
- DaSilva played in two sets, as well, and had six kills on eight swings with one error (.625), adding an ace, a dig and a block.
- Sophomore setter Alex Casais (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) led all players with 24 assists to go with a couple of kills, two blocks, two digs and an ace.

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights look to extend their streak to seven in a row with a road Skyline tri-match this Saturday, March 9, on the campus of Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. NJCU first faces St. Joseph's University-Brooklyn at 1:00 p.m. before taking on the hosting-Valiants at 3:00 p.m.