The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women’s volleyball team lost to Montclair State University in straight sets, 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-14), during a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) match held Thursday night at the John J. Moore Athletics & Fitness Center.
With this result, NJCU’s record moves to 10-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The team recorded a .010 hitting percentage and totaled 28 kills. Kai Fitzpatrick led NJCU with a match-high of 16 kills and nine digs. Diane Pugay contributed nine kills, two aces, and two block assists. Rae Marrero provided 27 assists for the offense, while Elisabeth Brito had a team-best nine digs on defense.
Montclair State improved to 12-3 overall and 2-1 in the NJAC. Breanna Craig was the top performer for Montclair State with seven kills on a .583 hitting percentage and three block assists. Sofia DiProfio added five kills with a .364 hitting percentage.
In the first set, NJCU kept up early but Montclair State gained control through several service aces and blocks, leading to a 17-8 advantage before closing out the set at 25-15. Fitzpatrick registered six kills in that frame.
The second set saw NJCU perform better as Pugay and Fitzpatrick combined for eleven kills. After trailing by six points at 19-13, an ace from Genesis Hibbard and a kill by Pugay reduced the deficit to five points. However, Montclair responded with key plays from Craig and DiProfio to secure the set at 25-19.
Montclair State dominated the third set by taking advantage of NJCU errors for an early lead of 12-7. Despite efforts from Fitzpatrick and Pugay, Montclair’s balanced net play resulted in a final score of 25-14 to complete the sweep.
NJCU is scheduled to return to action on Thursday, October 9, with an away match against Brooklyn College in Brooklyn at 6:00 p.m.
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