Box Score
NEWARK, NJ – Senior libero Rebecca Toddy had a match-high 27 digs, leading Texas-Pan American to a 3-1 win over New Jersey Institute of Technology in Great West Conference women's volleyball action Saturday afternoon at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.
The first and second frames were close, as Texas-Pan American opened with a 25-21 win, before NJIT bounced back, 25-22, in the second set. The Broncs gained the upper hand with a 25-23 win in the third set and came back late in the final set, holding off the Highlanders, 25-22, to clinch the match.
The win lifted Texas-Pan American to 6-15 overall, 3-6 in conference play while NJIT is now 15-8 overall, 5-3 in the conference.
NJIT was paced by a match-high 15 kills from sophomore outside hitter Renata Pandolfo. Senior Kristy Haeckel was the only consistently effective hitter for the Highlanders registering 10 kills with just two errors in 21 attempts, for a .381 hitting percentage.
Freshman setter Anna Mercado registered a career-day with 22 assists playing in three sets and posting 10 digs. Libero Sabrina Baby had a team-best 17 digs. Senior Katrina Hornstein recorded nine digs while Baaba Hughes and Pandolfo collected eight.
All three of the visiting Broncs who posted double-figure totals were efficient in the attack. Junior Marci Logan had a team-best 14 kills, outside hitter Katilin Vasquez recorded 12 kills and middle blocker Sarah Davis posted 10 kills on two errors in 27 assists for a .296 hitting percentage.
Junior Rita Gonzalez had a match-high 39 assists and the Broncs recorded a total of 11 blocks led by Jimena Gandara with four (1 solo; 3 assists).
Behind Toddy's match-high 27 digs were: Gonzalez 20; Vasquez 18, Ariana Berema 12 and Marci Logan 11.
The Highlanders had a 9-6 team blocking edge, and were led at the net by freshman Fernanda Lima with five total blocks (one solo, four assists).
NJIT will return to action when they host University of South Dakota on Thursday, November 5 at 7pm at the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.
The Highlanders will wrap up its home schedule on Saturday at 2pm against University of North Dakota. Before the start of the match, NJIT will honor four seniors in pre-game ceremonies.
