Jersey City, N.J. - The Lehman College men's volleyball team dropped the first two sets, but took the last three in a thrilling, 3-2 victory over New Jersey City University in a match played in Jersey City, New Jersey on Thursday.  The Gothic Knights took the first two sets by identical, 25-21 scores then the Lighting took the last three, 25-18, 25-16 and 16-14.  The team improved to 3-4 overall and has won two in a row.

The first set was back and forth but eventually a kill from Roberto Ventura Diaz tied the score at 20-all.  NJCU scored five of the next six points to take the set.  Lehman fell behind in set two as well, eventually trailing, 14-10.  Four straight points evened the score as Filipe Velandia registered a kill and three NJCU errors came from the serving of Peter Veljovic.  Lehman never tied the score again as the Gothic Knights took the second set, 25-21.

The third set was close early on as neither side gained control.  Already ahead 15-13, the Lightning rattled off five straight points to push the lead to seven, at 20-13. Ventura Diaz had four kills and the other point came on an NJCU error.  Lehman put the set away when a Gothic Knights serve went out.

Down 2-1, Lehman rallied to the score by taking the fourth set.  Tied at 7-7, an 8-0 run put the Lighting up 15-7 and in firm control of the set.  A Ventura Diaz kill accounted for the first point, but the rest came on errors from Veljovic serves.  Lehman won the set, 25-16.

In the deciding set, the score was tied on nine different occasions.  Lehman trailed 14-13, but scored three straight to take the set and the match.  Jose Bautista's strong serves helped set up the final two points.

In the win, Velandia (18 kills, 11 digs) and Ventura Diaz (24 kills, 13 digs) each recorded double-doubles.  George Montilla set a career high with 47 assists and Juan Carlos Santos added ten digs.

The Lehman College men's volleyball team returns to action on Wednesday, February 14, when they host St. Joseph's College at 7PM.