October 7, 2006

Box Score

HACKENSACK, NJ - The New Jersey Institute of Technology women's volleyball team gained its fifth victory of the season, claiming a 3-0 decision from Wagner in the second leg of a tri-match hosted by Fairleigh Dickinson Saturday at the Rothman Center.

The Highlanders began the day with a 3-1 loss to host FDU, which went to 11-7 on the season with the victory Saturday morning.

NJIT, playing against a Division I schedule for the first time and sporting a lineup comprised entirely of sophomores and freshmen, took game one from FDU, 30-28, before falling 23-30, 23-30 and 26-30 in the morning.

The Highlanders swept past Wagner in the afternoon match, beating the Seahawks, 30-22, 30-26 and 30-20.

The 3-0 win Saturday in their first-ever official competition against Wagner showed terrific progress by the Highlanders. A year ago, NJIT played a five-game preseason exhibition against Wagner and lost all five games.

NJIT freshman Kasha Hornstein continued her fine rookie campaign, leading NJIT with 10 kills in the win over Wagner, while adding 14 digs. Classmate Kristy Haeckel had a match-best 4 blocks, while Agnieszka Pregowska led NJIT with 16 digs, followed by Sabrina Baby, at 15 digs. Kubra Tanrikulu had 8 kills, 8 digs and 2 aces, while Danielle Thompson got 26 assists.

In the opening 3-1 loss to FDU, Tanrikulu led the NJIT attack, with 17 kills. Hornstein had 15 and Pregowska had 13. Thompson, the sophomore setter, collected 39 assists.

On defense, Haeckel had 4 blocks, while Hornstein picked up 21 digs, followed by Pregowska, with 14, and Tanrikulu and Baby, with 11 apiece.

The Highlanders will host Army on Wednesday at 7 pm in the Fleisher Athletic Center.