PURCHASE. N.Y. – The Purchase College men's volleyball put up a strong effort Thursday night at home, but it was the visiting Gothic Nights of New Jersey City University that walked away with the Skyline Conference win, 3-0.

With set scores of 25-11, 25-19 and 25-14, NJCU improved to 15-8 overall and 5-3 in the Skyline as Purchase dipped to 3-13, 2-6 in the league.

Gothic Night junior James Bajor led all scorers with 11 kills on 16 attempts with just a single error (.625). Brandon DaSilva was next in line with nine kills (.667) and three blocks (1 solo), while Anthony Trivers tallied eight kills (.583), six digs, three blocks and two service aces. Nico Figueroa recorded a match-best seven digs, while senior setter Aaron Mantilla tossed up a match-high 24 assists.

Purchase was led by senior co-captains Jeremiah Huntt (Bronx, NY) and Joe Higgins (Bayside, NY) with a combined 15 kills and six digs. Huntt tallied a pair of aces and one solo block, while Higgins hit a notable .353 to lead PC's offense.

Rookie middle blocker Marcus Garguilo (FR/Port Washington, NY) tallied a pair of blocks (1 solo), to go along with four kills. Junior setter Idris Idris produced 16 assists, while senior Ben Erkan (Bellport, NY) and freshman Jasper Zeray (Brooklyn, NY) combined for nine digs and two aces. Panther newcomer Bryon Morris (SO/Manhattan, NY) recorded a career-first kill which came in the third set off the assist from Erkan.  

Purchase and NJCU will go head-to-head again this weekend—this time on the Gothic Nights' home court for a Skyline tri-match starting a 10 a.m. Purchase will open the day against St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) at noon and close action against host NJCU at 2 p.m.