Rutgers-Newark RUN 10-4,1-1 CVC

New Jersey City NJCU 5-6,0-0 Skyline

Rutgers-Newark RUN

10-4,1-1 CVC

Final

Feb. 18, 2025

New Jersey City NJCU

5-6,0-0 Skyline

Set Scores
Team	1	2	3	4	5	F
Rutgers-Newark RUN	19	25	23	25	15	(3)
New Jersey City NJCU	25	18	25	16	10	(2)

Summary
Box Score

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball | 2/19/2025 12:49:00 AM

The Scarlet Raiders Storm Back From Behind in a Five Set Thriller

JERSEY CITY, NJ | Led by Derek Au's best performance of the season and a career high in kills for Massimo Roco, Rutgers-Newark (10-4) stole one from the Gothic Knights (5-6) in Jersey City. Final score: 3-2 (19-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-16, 15-10)

The hosts started out solidly with an 8-4 early advantage in the first set. Both teams were still settling in, and Michael Suarez got the engines going alongside Massimo Roco, but NJCU collected six of seven points at 14-9 to create a nine point gap that the Scarlet Raiders simply couldn't cover. They put up a fight with a five point run at the end, but they couldn't stop their opponents from getting over the line and taking a 1-0 set lead.

Roco continued his momentum into the second set, and it paid off as his team got out in front by a score of 10-6. Aidan Apito and Aleks Kolodziej were also getting in on the action, and the attack was fully flying. They soared out in front 18-9, and just like the Gothic Knights in the previous set, they were too far out to be caught. Roco secured the final point and evened the set score at one apiece.

The third set started positively for the Scarlet Raiders as well. They took the first four points before the Gothic Knights could get going. Eventually they did, and they were able to catch up at 13. From there, they grabbed three straight points and held tightly to that edge. Roco and Kolodziej kept on firing off feeds from Derek Au, who finished the evening with 41 assists to go with 8 kills, 4 blocks, 11 digs, and a pair of service aces. Despite their efforts, it was the home team who snuck away with the set and put themselves one away from victory.

But this match was far from over. The beginning of the fourth set was tight but Rutgers-Newark eventually established a 13-8 lead. They kept putting together small runs of three and four, and with a little help from a whole host of hitters, they made a statement with a 25-16 set win. This match was headed to a fifth.

The Scarlet Raiders rode the wave and took the fifth set comfortably. They only trailed for a single point early on, and then created a four point difference that NJCU could never erase. Kolodziej came through with several clutch kills, but it was Derek Au who had the three final blows. An inspiring win for a team that is currently at the top of their game.

Men's volleyball will travel to Harrisonburg, VA this weekend to participate in the Eastern Mennonite Tournament. Their first match will be against none other than Eastern Mennonite University on Friday at 6:00 PM.

For the latest news, updates, and information on Rutgers-Newark sports, visit rutgersnewarkathletics.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Scarlet Raiders news by following Rutgers-Newark Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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