NEW YORK, N.Y. - The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's volleyball team opened the 2025 season in commanding fashion on Friday, Aug. 29, going 2-0 on opening day with wins over John Jay College and Colby-Sawyer College at the Doghouse. With newly appointed head coach Britni Jaskot at the helm, the Gothic Knights swept John Jay in straight sets before pulling out a five-set victory over Colby-Sawyer. The team begins 2-0 for the first time since 2021, when they opened the season 6-0.

Match One: NJCU 3, John Jay 0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-19)
In their season opener, the Gothic Knights earned a straight-set victory over John Jay College, led by a breakout performance from rookie Kai Fitzpatrick (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough High School). In her collegiate debut, Fitzpatrick posted 12 kills on a .269 hitting percentage, along with five service aces, eight digs, and one assist, showing her all-around value on both ends of the court.

Outside hitter Diane Pugay (Jersey City, N.J./Infinity Institute) was equally effective, adding eight kills (.217), eight digs, two block assists, and a service ace. Middle Munachim Nwobu (Westampton, NJ/Paul VI) played a strong role at the net, contributing three kills and a match-high four total blocks. Libero Elisabeth Brito (Jersey City, N.J./Union City) led the defense with 10 digs, while Rae Marrero (Medford, NJ/Patchogue Medford) controlled the offense with 25 assists, along with three digs, one kill, and one ace.

John Jay jumped out to a 13-7 lead in the opening set, but NJCU answered with a 10-4 run to tie the score at 17. Fitzpatrick added two of her four kills in the set during the run, and Pugay tacked on three of her own to turn the tide. The set remained close, but the Knights capitalized on late John Jay errors and timely swings to take the opener 25-23.

In the second set, NJCU took early control with a 9-2 run to go up 12-6. Nwobu added two key blocks, and Fitzpatrick recorded four kills to pace the attack. Pugay and Brito stabilized the defense, while Jenilsa Pichardo (Union City, N.J./Union City) contributed a critical service ace to help stretch the lead to 21-13 before NJCU closed out the set 25-19.

The third set remained tight until a 3-0 John Jay run tied the score at 10. Head Coach Britni Jaskot called timeout, and NJCU responded immediately. With the score tied at 13, Fitzpatrick ignited an 8-1 run, highlighted by her powerful kill and strong serving. Although the Bloodhounds fought back to 23-19, the Knights sealed the sweep on a John Jay service error and a combined block from Brianna Melanson (South Brunswick, N.J./South Brunswick) and Nwobu.

Statistically, NJCU held the edge across the board: 29-23 kills, 10-8 aces, 6-4 blocks, and 27-23 assists. John Jay narrowly led in digs (33-32), but the Gothic Knights' efficiency and late-set execution made the difference.

Match Two: NJCU 3, Colby-Sawyer 2 (25-23, 20-25, 20-25, 25-18, 15-8)
The second match of the day proved far more competitive, as NJCU outlasted Colby-Sawyer in a five-set thriller. The Gothic Knights' offense exploded for 61 kills on a .179 team hitting percentage, while the Chargers were held to 30 kills and a .090 clip. NJCU also led in assists (60-28) and digs (79-56), while Colby-Sawyer held a slight edge in service aces (16-14) and blocks (10-4).

Diane Pugay (Jersey City, N.J./Infinity Institute) delivered a monster performance, finishing with 27 kills on a blistering .404 hitting percentage, along with 16 digs, two service aces, two blocks, and one assist. Fitzpatrick again impressed on both ends with 17 kills, a match-high 21 digs, a remarkable seven service aces, and one block. Together, the duo accounted for 44 of NJCU's 61 kills.

Rae Marrero (Medford, NJ/Patchogue Medford) continued her strong setting with 49 assists, while adding nine digs, two service aces, and one kill. Elisabeth Brito (Jersey City, N.J./Union City) set a new career high with 19 digs and three aces, along with five assists in a standout performance from the back row. At the net, Melanson and Nwobu combined for 11 kills and four blocks.

NJCU opened the match on a 7-1 run, with Fitzpatrick firing three early aces and Pugay putting down a pair of kills. The Chargers rallied to tie and briefly take the lead, but Fitzpatrick and Brito sparked another run with kills and aces to regain the advantage. Down 21-20, NJCU regrouped after a timeout, and late kills from Fitzpatrick, Nwobu, and Pugay sealed the 25-23 win.

Set two flipped the momentum. The Chargers surged ahead with a 4-0 run, then overcame a 14-11 NJCU lead with a 5-0 push to move ahead 16-14. NJCU stayed within reach, but Colby-Sawyer closed the frame with back-to-back service aces to win 25-20.

Set three started rough for the Gothic Knights, who fell behind 13-4 and hit just -.357. Coach Jaskot called timeout, and the team responded with a 6-1 run led by four Pugay kills. Melanson chipped in two timely kills as NJCU trimmed the deficit to 20-17. After a Colby-Sawyer timeout, Fitzpatrick and Riccio delivered back-to-back kills to make it 20-19, but the Chargers pulled away late to win another 25-20 set and take a 2-1 match lead.

The Gothic Knights answered in the fourth. NJCU jumped out to a 10-4 lead behind kills from Fitzpatrick, Pugay, and Melanson. They then launched a 10-3 run to build a 20-7 advantage. Despite a late Charger push to cut it to 23-17, the Green and Gold held steady, winning 25-18. Fitzpatrick and Pugay combined for 12 kills in the set.

In the deciding fifth set, NJCU raced out to a 6-2 start and switched sides up 8-2. Colby-Sawyer made it 8-5 after a quick 3-0 run, prompting a timeout. NJCU answered with a 4-1 burst to go up 12-6 and forced the Chargers to burn a timeout of their own. The Knights never let up, finishing the match on their terms with a 15-8 win to clinch the day.

UP NEXT:
NJCU returns to Jersey City to host Pratt Institute in their home opener on Wednesday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC).
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