Box Score

WAYNE , N.J. – In a closely-contested match, the William Paterson volleyball team (6-1, 0-1 NJAC) dropped its New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) season opener to visiting New Jersey City (8-1, 1-0 NJAC), 30-20, 30-12 and 30-25, Sept. 11 at the Rec Center.

The Pioneers showed that they are much improved from the team that finished 0-8 in NJAC competition a year ago, pressing the 2006 conference tournament runner-up Gothic Knights. In the opening game, WP owned a 12-8 lead and was later tied with NJCU, 15-15, but the Gothic Knights responded with four straight points and took control of the opening frame. William Paterson was also in contention in the third game, leading by three (13-10) early, and overcoming a five-point deficit (17-22) to take a one-point edge (23-22). With the two teams knotted at 24-24, New Jersey City finally seized control, scoring six of the final seven points to win the third and deciding game, 30-25.

Sophomore Kelly Helfrich (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) led the Pioneers with six kills and four aces, while classmate Samantha Reed (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) posted team bests of 16 digs and seven assists. Senior Dana Hansen (Fair Lawn, N.J./Fair Lawn) chipped in with five kills, eight digs and five assists.

NJCU's Lizzelle Cintron paced the Gothic Knights with 24 kills, and becoming the first player in NJAC history to reach the 3,000-point plateau (3025.0).

The Pioneers will return to action Thursday, Sept. 13, when they host Baruch at 7:00 p.m.