Box Score
WASHINGTON, DC – Host American got a match-high 22 kills from junior Angelica Waterman and defeated NJIT, 3-1, at Bender Arena Saturday afternoon in day two of the American Volleyball Classic.
NJIT took the first set, 25-21, before American answered with a dominant 25-16 and 25-20 victories in the second and third frame. NJIT appeared to take control of the fourth set, but American rallied for a 26-24 win, clinching the match.
After Waterman, American got 11 kills and just two errors on 27 attacks (.333 attack percentage) from Claire Recht and Cassandra Ricketts added eight kills.
Freshman Krysta Cicala had a match-high 50 assists and took part in a strong defense for the Eagles collecting seven digs. Sophomore Rebecca Heath had a match-best 31 digs and Ricketts and Cynammon Burns chipped in 11 apiece. Claire Recht topped the American blockers with six blocks (1 solo, 5 assists).
Sophomore outside hitter Renata Pandolfo led the Highlanders with 13 kills, followed by Kristy Haeckel and Baaba Hughes with seven apiece.
Erica Schultz registered a double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs. Senior Sabrina Baby 15 digs led the Highlanders, followed by Pandolfo's 12. Haeckel, Schultz and freshman Fernanda Lima each posted four block assists and Pandolfo finished with three.
American took a quick 10-2 lead to start the match, before NJIT pulled back to within a point, 11-12, on a ball handling error by American. NJIT went ahead 13-12 as the match saw seven ties, the final at 21-21, on a kill by American's Recht. The Highlanders rallied off four straight points for a 25-21 victory.
The second set opened up with both team trading points until 10-10 when American rolled off three consecutive points pulling ahead 13-10. NJIT would fall behind,14-19, and American would lead by as many as five closing out the set, 26-16.
American dominated the third set throughout, building an early 7-1 lead. NJIT came within six points of the Eagles, 10-16, on a kill by Lima but American appeared to gain the upper hand with a 4-1 spurt that put the Eagles on top 19-11. The Highlanders would not go away as they went on a 5-0 run, 17-21, on a ace by Baby and four errors by the Eagles but American would clinch the set on a Highlander error, 25-20.
The fourth set was the closest of the four, as American took a 10-6 lead on a kill by Cicala. NJIT would rally to take the lead, 11-10, on a kill by Pandolfo. There were six ties from point 11 on but the Eagles broke the 24-24 tie and won on a kill by Waterman, 26-24.
NJIT will return to action on Tuesday when they host Columbia in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center. The match is scheduled to start at 7pm.
