Diane Pugay 25-10
JOCELYN PRESCOD/PRESCOD MEDIA
3
Winner Rowan Rowan 23-5,7-1 NJAC
1
New Jersey City NJCU 14-8,2-6 NJAC
Winner
Rowan Rowan
23-5,7-1 NJAC
3
Final
1
New Jersey City NJCU
14-8,2-6 NJAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Rowan Rowan 25 18 25 25 (3)
New Jersey City NJCU 23 25 20 16 (1)

Next Match:

at Mount Saint Mary College (NY)

11/8/2025 | 11:00 AM

Next Match

Full Schedule
Nov. 08 (Sat) / 11:00 AM
at Mount Saint Mary College (NY)
History

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball | | Contact: Tom Krychkowski; Assistant Athletic Director for Communications & Marketing

Gothic Knights Fall Short as Rowan Takes NJAC Clash in Four

JERSEY CITY, NJ | The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's volleyball team fell to Rowan University in four sets, 3-1 (25-23, 18-25, 25-20, 25-16), in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) finale on Tuesday night inside the John J. Moore Athletics & Fitness Center.

NJCU (14-8, 2-6 NJAC) was powered by Diane Pugay (Jersey City, N.J./Infinity Institute), who hammered a match-high 18 kills, four service aces, 10 digs, and four total blocks for 24 points. Kai Fitzpatrick (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough High School) followed with 14 kills and a team-best 19 digs, while Rae Marrero (Medford, NY/Patchogue Medford) dished out 33 assists and added 18 digs and one ace. Genesis Hibbard (Groesbeck, Texas/Morristown (N.J.)) anchored the back row with 13 digs, and Brianna Melanson (South Brunswick, N.J./South Brunswick) chipped in four kills and two total blocks.

As a team, NJCU recorded 42 kills and nine service aces while hitting .142 on the night.

Rowan (23-5, 7-1 NJAC) hit .219 overall and was led by Jessica Smart with 12 kills on .357 hitting, while Jena Kaul added 11 kills and Abigail Chadwick tallied 11 kills and two aces. Ciara Bradley contributed 10 kills and two total blocks, and setter Raven Albrecht directed the Profs with 45 assists and 10 digs. Vanessa Hutchinson paced the defense with 20 digs.

In the opening set, Rowan jumped ahead early on a Chadwick kill and ace, but NJCU battled back behind Pugay and Fitzpatrick to tie it at 20. The Gothic Knights pulled within one late, but the Profs closed on a 5-2 run capped by a Kaul kill to take it 25-23.

The second set belonged to the Gothic Knights as Pugay ignited a 7-0 service run that turned a 2-0 deficit into a 7-2 lead. NJCU maintained control with efficient setting from Marrero and outside attacks from Fitzpatrick, pulling away for a 25-18 win.

In the third, Rowan seized momentum early behind Albrecht's serving and Bivona's blocking, building an 18-13 advantage. NJCU fought to within three at 22-19 on a Pugay kill, but the Profs answered with a 3-1 finish to claim it 25-20.

The fourth saw Rowan dominate from the start, with Cooper serving through a 12-1 surge that put the Profs up 13-1. NJCU responded with a Brito service run to trim it to 14-6, but Rowan's offense proved too much, sealing the match with a 25-16 victory.

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights return to action on Saturday, November 8 when they travel to Newburgh, NY to take on non-conference foe, Mount Saint Mary College (NY) at 1:00 pm.

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University Athletics, visit NJCUgothicknights.com and follow the Gothic Knights on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
 
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Players Mentioned

Genesis Hibbard

#0 Genesis Hibbard

L/DS
4' 8"
Sophomore
Brianna Melanson

#18 Brianna Melanson

MB
6' 1"
Senior
Diane Pugay

#14 Diane Pugay

OH
5' 8"
Fifth Year
Rae Marrero

#11 Rae Marrero

S
5' 8"
Sophomore
Kai Fitzpatrick

#1 Kai Fitzpatrick

OH
5' 7"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Genesis Hibbard

#0 Genesis Hibbard

4' 8"
Sophomore
L/DS
Brianna Melanson

#18 Brianna Melanson

6' 1"
Senior
MB
Diane Pugay

#14 Diane Pugay

5' 8"
Fifth Year
OH
Rae Marrero

#11 Rae Marrero

5' 8"
Sophomore
S
Kai Fitzpatrick

#1 Kai Fitzpatrick

5' 7"
Junior
OH