NEW YORK – The Yeshiva University men's volleyball team kicked off the 2021 campaign by dropping both ends of its Skyline Conference doubleheader in straight sets to New Jersey City University, at the Max Stern Athletic Center, on Sunday afternoon.

In the opening contest, set scores were 25-10, 25-11, and 25-9. Junior middle blocker Alon Jakubowitz led the way for the Maccabees (0-2, 0-2 Skyline) with three kills, four blocks, and a pair of digs. Graduate setter Sibi Selvarajah chipped in with four assists, two blocks, and a dig.

The Gothic Knights (2-2, 2-0 Skyline) earned a hitting percentage of .382 during the first match. Sophomore opposite hitter James Bajor led all players with 10 kills and seven service aces, while junior outside hitter Leo Ferrari tallied 26 assists, six service aces, and a team-high three digs.

In the second match, set scores were 25-15, 25-8, and 25-11. The Maccabees got off to a good start in the first set, as a service ace by senior middle blocker Ilan Marouani gave the home team a 7-5 advantage. Later in the frame, NJCU generated a 6-1 to go up by a score of 17-12. Yeshiva was not able to get back in the game, as New Jersey City scored the last five points of the set to go up, 1-0, in the match.

After falling in the second set, YU bounced back to take a 4-3 lead in the third. NCJU responded by going on an 11-1 to jump out to a commanding hold that was too much for the Blue and White to overcome.

Yeshiva was led defensively by Jakubowitz and junior outside hitter Benjamin Smillie, who each had four digs. Selvarajah produced three digs, while junior libero Michael Stark added two digs and an ace. Junior middle blocker Steven Zelmanovich chipped in with a pair of digs.

For NJCU, sophomore opposite hitter Martin Chromulak slammed home nine kills and scored four aces. Freshman outside hitter Mahmoud Serour had seven kills and 10 service aces, while first-year opposite hitter Christopher Castillo added six kills and eight aces of his own.

The Maccabees will return to the Max Stern Athletic Center on Wednesday, for a Skyline battle against the Golden Eagles of St. Joseph's College Long Island, beginning at 8:00 p.m.