Box score

NEWARK, NJ—Alyssa Lang had 12 kills and Ashley Oscars added 11 for UMBC in its 3-0 win over host NJIT on the first day of the two-day Highlander Challenge women's volleyball tournament Friday night in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.

UMBC (6-2) defeated NJIT, 25-19, 25-23 and 25-19 in the first match of the tournament for the two teams. NJIT, which had won its last two matches is 2-4 on the season.

Junior Kristy Haeckel led the NJIT attack with nine kills, followed by freshman Renata Padolfo's seven.

Freshman Chanelle Preradovich led the Highlanders with 11 assists and Danielle Thompson had nine. Agnieszka Pregowska notched two service aces .

On defense, Sabrina Baby's 14 digs paced NJIT, followed by 12 for Katrina Hornstein. Four different Highlanders picked up a block assist each.

The Retrievers got 14 assists from Kira Giles and 13 from Alexandria Spaay, while Sarah Ball and Pam Jarrett each served two aces. Oscars had a match-high 17 digs for UMBC and Bridget Scheetz recorded a match-best for blocks for the visitors.

NJIT's closest set was the second, which ended 25-23 for UMBC. The Highlanders had broken a 14-14 tie with four straight points. But with NJIT leading, 21-19, the Retrievers Jarrett served two straight aces, igniting a five-point spurt that lifted UMBC to a 24-21 advantage. NJIT then gained two points before yielding the set point.

Earlier on Friday, Sacred Heart opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Loyola of Maryland.

Each team will play two matches on Saturday, beginning with a 10 am match between UMBC and Loyola. NJIT's first match of Saturday is at noon against Sacred Heart.