THROGGS NECK, NY - The Maritime College women's volleyball team traveled to New Jersey City University (NJCU) for their final two matches of the 2019 season on Saturday afternoon. The Privateers opened the tri-match with a three-sest loss to the Gothic Knights, but turned it around in the second match and defeated the Devils in four sets.

In the opening set, Maritime got off to a hot start as two kills from Celyna Custodio (Danbury, Conn./Danbury) and two aces from Abby Steele (Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial) put them up 6-1. Unfortunately, NJCU responded with a big rally of their own and quickly took the lead. The Privateers weren't able to regain the upper hand in the opening set and ultimately fell 25-17.

Maritime trailed for a majority of the second set, but after a double block from Erica Pagano (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence) and Erika Kirchner (Meadowmere Park, N.Y./Lawrence) tied the set at 16, the Privateers took their first lead behind an ace from Brooke Kirchner (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence). However, the Gothic Knights had the answer once again and pulled away for a 25-20 victory. NJCU was looking to close out Maritime in straight sets and they did just that with a quick 25-8 win.

In the second match of the day, the Privateers got off to a tough start once again as they fell in the opening set 25-20. In the second set with the score knotted at 15, Maritime made a big run to take control of the set. Custodio got things started with a kill out of the middle and then Brooke Kirchner (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence) added back-to-back aces for a 19-16 lead. The Devils responded strongly though and ended up take a 23-22 advantage late. Freshman opposite Brooke Kirchner (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence) came up clutch for Maritime late though as she tallied two kills and a block assist to seal the 25-23 win.

With the match tied at one set a piece, the teams were knotted at 8-8 in the third set. That would mark the final time the set was tied as the Privateers won five straight points and never trailed for the remainder of the set as they picked up a key 25-21 win. In the fourth set, Maritime led 20-16 late, and then won five points straight to clinch the victory.

Custodio led the offense with 16 kills, while Steele also reached double digits with 10. Erika Kirchner (Meadowmere Park, N.Y./Lawrence) dished out 36 assists, while Solomos led the defensive effort with 20 digs. The Privateers finished the season 5-21 overall.