The New Jersey City University (NJCU) men’s volleyball team continued its impressive run with a commanding 3-0 victory over Purchase College on Monday, March 17, at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC). The Gothic Knights secured the straight-set win (25-23, 25-15, 25-13), marking their fifth consecutive victory and third straight sweep. With this result, NJCU improved to 13-7 overall and 8-1 in Skyline Conference play, while Purchase dropped to 13-12 and 6-4 in conference action.
NJCU outperformed Purchase in nearly every statistical category. The Gothic Knights recorded a .262 hitting percentage, compared to Purchase’s .111. They also led in kills (36-29), aces (6-2), blocks (5-4), assists (34-26), and digs (36-30).
Key Performers
Sophomore Marcus Pardasie (Paramus, N.J./Cresskill) led the way for NJCU with 15 kills, a .379 hitting percentage, five digs, and a season-high four service aces. Freshman Justin Walker (Paterson, N.J./Paterson Charter) also played a crucial role, recording 10 kills on 16 attempts for a game-high .625 hitting percentage, along with three digs and a block assist.
Junior setter Alex Casais (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) had a standout performance, achieving his first double-double of the season with 30 assists and a career-high 11 digs, along with two block assists. Sophomore Victor De Souza (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side) contributed with a game-high four blocks, six kills, and a service ace.
For Purchase, senior Channing Williams led his team with 14 kills, seven digs, and two aces. Ayden Mercado tallied 24 assists and a team-high eight digs, while Udel Phillips added five kills, five digs, and three block assists.
Match Recap
The opening set was a close battle, with Purchase taking an early 9-6 lead. NJCU responded with a 5-0 run, highlighted by a kill from Pardasie, to go up 11-9. Purchase fought back and tied the set at 15 before pulling ahead 20-17. However, NJCU remained composed and took advantage of key errors by the Panthers to regain the lead at 23-22. A kill from freshman Nas Paige, followed by an attack from Walker and a final Purchase error, sealed the 25-23 win for NJCU.
The second set saw NJCU take control early, going on a 10-3 run fueled by three kills from Pardasie and two from Walker, establishing a 15-7 lead. Purchase briefly cut the deficit to 15-10, but NJCU remained dominant, closing out the set with a 25-15 victory.
The Gothic Knights continued their dominance in the third set, opening with a 7-1 run led by Walker, Pardasie, and De Souza. Purchase attempted to close the gap at 10-6, but NJCU responded with a 12-3 run to push the lead to 22-9. The Gothic Knights closed out the match with a 25-13 win, securing the 3-0 sweep.
Up Next
NJCU returns to action on Wednesday, March 19, when they host Yeshiva University at 7:00 p.m. at the JMAC.
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