ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's volleyball team split the day at the Bard College Trimatch on Saturday, Nov. 1. The Gothic Knights opened the afternoon with a four-set victory over Bard (22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-23), before falling to nationally ranked No. 12 Ithaca College in three sets (25-16, 27-25, 25-12).

MATCH ONE vs. Bard
NJCU (14-7, 2-5 NJAC) held the edge in nearly every statistical category against the Raptors (3-23, 0-8 Liberty), leading in points (69-59), kills (54-38), aces (12-9), blocks (3-2), and assists (48-37). Bard posted a slight advantage in digs (55-52). The Gothic Knights hit an efficient .256 while limiting Bard to a .236 hitting percentage.

Junior standout Kai Fitzpatrick (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough High School) continued her dominant rookie campaign, recording her seventh 20-plus kill performance and seventh double-double of the season. She finished with 27 kills, 11 digs, three assists, one service ace, and a block. Sophomore setter Rae Marrero (Medford, NY/Patchogue Medford) orchestrated a balanced offensive effort, producing 37 assists alongside a season-high seven service aces, six kills, and seven digs. Fifth year outside hitter Diane Pugay (Jersey City, N.J./Infinity Institute) contributed 13 kills, nine digs, two assists, and an ace, while junior Genesis Hibbard (Groesbeck, Texas/Morristown (N.J.)) anchored the defense with a team-high 15 digs, three aces, and two assists.

Bard was led by Annika Flittie, who totaled 13 kills and 11 digs for a double-double. Fernanda Julian distributed 27 assists and collected 13 digs, while Becca Wintjen chipped in four aces, 10 digs, five assists, and three kills.

The Raptors edged out a 25-22 win in the opening set after erasing an early NJCU lead. The Gothic Knights responded in the second set, using back-to-back kills by Fitzpatrick and consecutive service aces by Marrero to take control. Tied at 20, NJCU closed the frame with five straight points—three coming from Fitzpatrick kills—to even the match at one set apiece.

In the third, the Gothic Knights jumped out to a commanding 9-3 lead and never looked back, closing out the set 25-17 behind a balanced attack. Bard opened the fourth with a 7-3 advantage, but NJCU roared back with a 4-0 run highlighted by three straight Marrero aces to tie it at seven. From there, the Green and Gold maintained the lead down the stretch to seal the 25-23 win and secure the match victory.

MATCH TWO vs. #12 Ithaca
Facing nationally ranked No. 12 Ithaca (22-3, 8-0 Liberty), NJCU battled competitively but fell in straight sets. The Bombers posted a .322 hitting percentage and held the advantage in points (57-35), kills (38-30), aces (16-3), blocks (3-2), and assists (36-29). The Gothic Knights managed a slight edge in digs (43-41).

Fitzpatrick once again led the way with 23 kills and 10 digs, marking her eighth double-double and eighth 20-plus kill performance of the season. She was highly efficient, hitting an impressive .512 for the match. Marrero dished out 24 assists while adding eight digs and a solo block. Hibbard tallied a team-high 13 digs, three assists, and two service aces.

Ithaca's Naomi Glauhs paced the Bombers with 15 kills, while Wesley Slavin controlled the tempo with 29 assists, seven aces, five digs, and three kills. Defensively, Ellie Benedict recorded 15 digs, four assists, and two aces.

The opening set was tightly contested early before Ithaca pulled away with an 8-1 run to take a 16-9 lead and eventually a 25-16 win. The Gothic Knights nearly stole the second set, rallying from down 22-18 to tie the frame at 22 and later taking a 25-24 lead after a Fitzpatrick kill and Hibbard ace. However, Ithaca closed the set on a 3-0 run to win 27-25. In the final set, NJCU led briefly at 3-1, but Ithaca's powerful attack surged ahead with a 6-0 run and later a 10-0 closing stretch to secure the sweep, 25-12.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return home to the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center for their final New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup of the 2025 season, hosting Rowan University on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The match will also serve as Alumni Night, with first serve set for 7:00 p.m.

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