NEWARK, NJ—NJIT had five players reach double-digit kills paced by senior Fran Edmondson's 15, as the Highlanders defeated visiting Fairleigh Dickinson, 3-1, Wednesday night at the Fleisher Athletic Center.

NJIT sweeps the season series from the Knights, with the Highlanders having taken the first meeting in Teaneck on September 17, 3-0.

The Highlanders dropped Wednesday's first set Wednesday in extra points, 27-29, but won the next three frames 25-16, 30-28, and 25-17 and improved their record to 9-19 on the season.  Fairleigh Dickinson fell to 6-20.

NJIT's senior outside hitter Edmondson posted a double-double with 15 kills and 16 digsm sharing team-high honors with teammate Alyssa Armada.  Edmondson added five total blocks (all assists) and three service aces for the Highlanders.

Junior outside hitter Danica Vukotic notched a double-double of her own with 14 kills and 12 digs, followed by Nina Vukotic (12 kills), Valerie Carroll (11), and Kat Janssen (10).  Janssen hit .471 for the match from the middle, nailing 10 kills on 17 swings with just two errors.

The freshman setter Armada piled up a match-high 46 assists to go along with 16 digs and senior libero Camilla Tinari added 15 digs for NJIT.

Carroll led the Highlanders in front of the net with six total blocks (all assists) followed by Edmondson's five block assists.  As a team, NJIT held a 10-to-6 service ace advantage led by Danica Vukotic and Edmondson's three aces each

For Fairleigh Dickinson, freshmen Taylor Wyckoff and Carly O'Sullivan paced the Knights with 7 kills apiece.  Setter Allison Butler recorded a double-double with 19 assists and 11 digs while libero Deborah Hong posted a match-best 20 digs.  Senior middle hitter Hanifa Addi combined for six block assists for the Knights.

NJIT opened up the first set on a 5-1 run, but the Knights rallied for the next four points and a 5-5 tie.  The Highlanders then used a 6-1 spur,t pulling ahead 11-6 following back-to-back service aces by Edmondson. 

With the Highlanders holding a 16-7 advantage, the Knights scored five straight points, pulling within four of NJIT, 12-16.  The visitors inched their way back into the set, finally getting even at 22 on an NJIT error. The surge continued and FDU soon led 24-22.  The frame saw four more ties. the final at 27, before the Knights scored final two points for a 29-27 victory.

The second frame saw three early ties, but the Highlanders pulled away after the final tie, 11-11, using a 6-2 spurt for a 17-13 advantage.  NJIT extended its lead to 21-14 and never looked back, scoring the final four points for a 25-16 victory.

The third frame was another tight set, with 12 ties and 5 lead changes.  After a 12-12 tie, the Highlanders scored the next four points taking a 16-12 lead, but the Knights went on a short 4-1 run of their own, pulling within one of the home team, 16-17, resulting in an NJIT timeout.  The set would have 9 more ties, the last at 28, followed by back-to-back Janssen kills for the final points of a 30-28 victory.

In the final set, the match went back-and-forth with neither team leading by more than 3 through the mid-teens.  After a 15-15 tie, NJIT scored 3 consecutive points for an 18-15 advantage, prompting a timeout for the visitors.  Out of the timeout, the Highlanders sealed the match on a 7-2 spurt for a 25-17 victory.

NJIT will have a quick turnaround, when the Highlanders host Coppin State on Friday at 7pm on Senior Night.  The Highlanders will honor its four graduating seniors in pregame ceremonies –  Tinari, Katie Goswick, Carroll and Edmondson.