Box Score
 
CHICAGO—Freshman Danica Vukotic posted a match-high 15 kills leading visiting NJIT to a 3-0 victory over Chicago State in Great West Conference women's volleyball action Saturday at Dickens Arena.
 
The Highlanders (8-11 overall, 1-2 in Great West) took the Cougars in straight sets, 25-22, 25-13 and 25-18 while Chicago State falls to 2-17 overall, 0-2 in the Great West.
 
Vukotic, a rookie outside hitter from Backi Jarak, Serbia, led the Highlanders posting 15 kills on 24 attempts with three errors for a .500 hitting percentage.  Sophomore Camilla Tinari was the other Highlander to reach double-figure kills with 11.  Tinari also hit .500 for the match (11k, 2e, 18a) while middle Julia Colombo had five kills on eight swings with no errors for a team-best .625 hitting percentage.
 
NJIT had two setters splitting the action Saturday – senior Anna Mercado piled up a match-high 26 assists while Barbara Perru added 15.  Libero Renata Pandolo combined for a match-high 19 digs while senior Janet Snell followed behind with 11.  Snell also added seven kills for the Highlanders.
 
The Cougars were led by Sydney Van Munster's team-high 12 kills and three block assists.  Angelica Brewer and Paula Sioto posted 14 and 13 assists respectively at the setting position.  Mysta Townsell recorded a team-high 15 digs.
 
The first frame was close, with the Cougars grabbing a late 19-18 advantage after four consecutive points. The Highlanders answers with a quick 3-0 run, for a 21-19 lead resulting in a Cougar timeout. NJIT would then take a 24-21 advantage after an attack error by Chicago State.  Colombo put away the set with a kill to earn a 25-22 victory.
 
In the second set, NJIT took control early with an 11-5 lead and then a 20-11 lead. The Highlanders closed out the set on a 5-2 spurt for a 25-13 victory.
 
The final set featured 11 ties and eight lead changes. The final tie was at 16-16 after a kill by Snell which sparked three straight points for the visitors for a 19-16 lead.  After a timeout by the home team, NJIT went on a 6-2 run for a 25-18 victory.
 
The Highlanders will return to action on Saturday, October 13 at Utah Valley.  The match is scheduled to start at 1pm (MT).