Box Score 

NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT women's volleyball team swept to a 3-0 win over Houston Baptist in women's volleyball Great West Conference action Thursday evening at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.

The Highlanders played from in front most of the night, taking a 25-15, 25-20, 25-17 victory.

NJIT, which posted its 15th win of the season, raised its overall record to 15-7, 5-2 in the conference as the Huskies fell to 11-17 overall, 3-7 in the conference.

Sophomore outside hitter Renata Pandolfo paced the Highlander attack with a .355 attack percentage, notching a match-high 13 kills, with only two errors in 31 attacks.  Senior Katrina Hornstein followed behind Pandolfo with nine kills.

NJIT setter Erica Schultz had 30 assists, while libero Sabrina Baby shared a team-high 13 digs with two other Highlanders – Hughes and Pandolfo.

The Highlanders were strong in front of the net led by freshman Fernanda Lima with five total blocks (two solo, three assists).  Haeckel added four blocks (two solo, two assists) and Hughes collected three block assists.

Houston Baptist was led by Jolie Graf with 12 kills while Ligia Clemente chipped in 10.  Natalie Magat posted a match-high 34 assists.  Courtney Whittleman posted a match-high 17 digs on the defensive end.

NJIT jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead in the opening frame and stayed ahead by as many as nine.  Haeckel closed out the set on a kill for a 25-15 win.

The Highlanders who only trailed by one point on two occasions in the second set, gained the upper hand at 17-16 on a kill by Pandolfo.  NJIT rallied off three straight points pulling ahead 19-16.  Hughes led the Highlanders with five kills for a 25-20 win.

In the final frame, Pandolfo led NJIT with seven kills as they clinched the match, 25-17.

The Highlanders return to action on Saturday when they host Texas-Pan American at 2pm.  In the first meeting between the team in Edinburg, Texas, the Highlanders took a 3-0 victory.  Pandolfo recorded a double-double with 15 kills and 14 digs.