JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) men's volleyball team captured the 2026 CUNY Athletic Conference Championship in commanding fashion on Friday evening, defeating third-seeded Baruch College, 3-1 (25-15, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19), at the Hunter Sportsplex. With the victory, the Gothic Knights secured both the tournament title and their previously clinched regular season championship after finishing an unblemished 8-0 in conference play.

NJCU delivered a balanced and efficient performance throughout the match, finishing with a .281 hitting percentage while limiting Baruch to just .040. The Gothic Knights held advantages across key statistical categories, including kills (45-43), assists (45-43), and blocks (10-4), showcasing their control at the net and offensive consistency. The Bearcats found success from the service line and in the back row, edging NJCU in aces (5-2) and digs (46-38), but were unable to overcome NJCU's offensive rhythm.

Leading the charge was tournament Most Valuable Player Alex Casais (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), who orchestrated the offense with 36 assists while contributing across the board with four blocks, four digs, and two kills. Marcus Pardasie (Paramus, N.J./Cresskill) turned in a standout performance with a match-high 17 kills on a .359 hitting percentage, adding 10 digs to record his fifth double-double of the season. Amaru Perales (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) and Solomon Brown (Lakewood, N.J./Lakewood) each chipped in eight kills, with Perales anchoring the defense at the net with a match-high six blocks, while Brown added three blocks of his own.

Baruch was paced by Peter Gavroff, who totaled 13 kills and nine digs. Ari Osmanaj dished out 23 assists to guide the Bearcats' offense, while Argjend Osmanaj led the defensive effort with 10 digs.

The Gothic Knights set the tone early, opening the match with a dominant 7-1 run in the first set. Although Baruch trimmed the deficit to 12-6, NJCU responded with a decisive surge to extend its lead to double digits and ultimately closed out the frame, 25-15, capped by a crafty finish from Casais. Pardasie led the opening set with three kills.

Set two remained tightly contested until a pivotal moment at 13-13, when a Baruch service error ignited a 5-0 NJCU run. The Gothic Knights maintained control from there, with Victor De Souza (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) contributing four kills in the set before Perales sealed the 25-19 win.

NJCU appeared poised to complete a sweep in the third set after breaking a 9-9 tie with an 8-2 run, highlighted by three kills from Matt Peralta (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack). Holding a 23-19 advantage, however, the Gothic Knights were unable to close, as Baruch rallied with six consecutive points to steal the set, 25-23, and extend the match.

In the fourth set, NJCU regained its composure. With the score tied at 7-7, the Gothic Knights used a 7-2 run to build separation and never relinquished control. Trading points down the stretch, NJCU sealed the championship victory on a Bearcat service error, clinching the set, 25-19, and the conference title.

From Head Coach Carlo Edra: "We could not have had a better storybook ending to this season. We get to celebrate this weekend and then it is back to work on Monday to compete in the National Tournament. We are going dancing!"

UP NEXT:

The Gothic Knights will now await their postseason fate, with the NCAA Men's Volleyball Selection set for Monday, April 13, when NJCU will learn its seeding for the national tournament.

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