PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - The Sarah Lawrence College men's volleyball team faced off against New Jersey City University in the first round of the Skyline Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon. The Gryphons suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Gothic Knights, ending their 2021 season. 

This season was a unique one for SLC. Shorthanded in the beginning of the year, the Gryphons called upon members of the women's volleyball team to fill out the men's roster and compete for a Skyline Conference Championship. The 2021 Sarah Lawrence College Gryphons were believed to be the first program in NCAA men's volleyball history consisting of both men and women. 

The Numbers

• Nate Davis added 11 more kills to his historic first-year campaign. He finished the season with 73, ranking second in the Skyline Conference. He also led the team in digs with six. 
• Davis Mathis tallied a career-high 10 assists. 
• Kaille Ferguson went for three kills, five digs, and an assist. 
• Mia Rector had four assists. 
• Claire O'Rourke notched four digs. 
• Tabitha Hardin-Zollo recorded four digs and a kill. 

How it Happened

The Gryphons came out hot, gaining two points from a Nate Davis kill and a Davis Mathis ace. SLC opened the match on a 4-0 run. NJCU clawed its way back, evening the score at five. The Gothic Knights eventually jumped out a 7-6 lead and held the edge for the remainder of the set, taking it 25-18. 

Aaron Ashery kicked off the second set with his sixth kill of the season, receiving the assist from Mathis. NJCU then went on a 5-0 stretch. Mathis ended the set with three assists. NJCU took the set 25-13. 

The third set saw the Gryphons record its second-highest point total in a set all season. Kaille Ferguson registered her team-leading fourth service ace of the year in the final set. Nate Davis and Davis Mathis teamed up for consecutive points. NJCU won the set 25-19.