JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's volleyball team fell in straight sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-17) to Stockton University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup on Tuesday, October 21 at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center.

The Gothic Knights (12-4, 2-3 NJAC) were outmatched by the Ospreys (14-6, 4-2 NJAC), who controlled the match statistically across the board. Stockton hit an efficient .245 compared to NJCU's .102 and held the advantage in points (53-39), kills (38-31), aces (6-3), blocks (9-6), assists (35-28), and digs (39-30).

Rookie Kai Fitzpatrick (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough High School) led the Gothic Knights with a match-high 15 kills, while also adding four digs, three block assists, and one assist. Fifth year Diane Pugay (Jersey City, N.J./Infinity Institute) contributed 11 kills on .143 hitting, along with seven digs. Sophomore setter Rae Marrero (Medford, NY/Patchogue Medford) tallied 25 assists to go with eight digs, two block assists, and one service ace. Junior Kristen Davis (Clermont, Fla./Real Life Christian Academy) was solid at the net, recording a team-high four block assists, while libero Elisabeth Brito (Jersey City, N.J./Union City) chipped in with eight digs on the defensive end.

For Stockton, Kate Louer paced the Ospreys with 13 kills and a stellar .500 hitting percentage, along with five digs and two assists. Nicole Palmer added eight kills, nine digs, and four assists, while Regan Mendick and Kristen Burton combined for 28 assists. Burton also served up a match-high three aces. At the net, Laila Newborn was dominant with seven total blocks. Palmer led the team in digs, with nine, while McKenna Ritchie added eight.

Stockton came out strong in the opening set, jumping to a 7-2 lead fueled by six NJCU errors. The Gothic Knights managed to close the gap to 9-6, capitalizing on three Osprey miscues and a kill by freshman Munachim Nwobu (Westampton, NJ/Paul VI). However, Stockton maintained control the rest of the set, securing a 25-19 win.

NJCU started the second set with momentum, as back-to-back kills from Fitzpatrick and a pair of Stockton errors gave the Knights a 4-1 lead. The Ospreys responded quickly, tying the set at 8-8 with a Palmer kill and a Ritchie ace. Two more kills by Palmer sparked a 7-1 Stockton run, giving them a 16-10 lead. The Knights were unable to recover, and Stockton closed out the set, 25-17.

The third set began evenly, tied at 4-4, before Stockton launched an 8-0 run to take control at 11-4. NJCU fought back to make it 16-13, but the Ospreys responded once again with a 5-0 run, extending their lead to 21-13. The Gothic Knights showed late life and cut the deficit to five (22-17), but Stockton sealed the match with two kills and a final NJCU attacking error.

UP NEXT:
NJCU looks to bounce back on Thursday, Oct. 23, when they travel to Wayne, N.J. to take on William Paterson University in another NJAC matchup. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

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