Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

NEW BRITAIN, CT—The NJIT women's volleyball team fell twice Saturday, 3-1 against Hartford and 3-0 in the nightcap to host Central Connecticut State on the final day at the CCSU Blue Devil Invitational at CCSU's Detrick Gym.

In the opening match, NJIT senior Valerie Carroll recorded a match-high 11 kills but it wasn't enough, as Hartford defeated the Highlanders, 3-1, and in the nightcap, Central swept the Highlanders, 3-0, to close out the tournament.

NJIT opened the Invitational Friday evening, dropping a 3-2 decision to Providence, while Hartford fell to host Central Connecticut State by the identical score on Friday.

Hartford won the first set 25-16, but the Highlanders evened the score at 1-1 in sets with a 25-19 victory in the second frame.  The Hawks took a 2-1 lead with a 25-14 victory in the third frame and clinched the match with a 25-16 victory in the final set. 

Hartford's freshman outside hitter Katy Henchy led the way for the winners with a team-high 10 kills on 32 swings, with just three errors for a .219 hitting percentage.  Outside hitters Sareeta Nethersole and Corinne Horanzy each notched 9 kills apiece in the win.

Senior setter Jackie Tamburri combined for 34 assists and 8 digs for the Hawks, while Nethersole shared match-high honors with NJIT's Camilla Tinari and Nina Vukotic at 12 digs each.  Paola Llerandi added 11 digs for Hartford.

The 6-foot-3 Henchy combined for a total of 7 blocks (1 solo, 6 assists), followed by Kathryn Gawrych (5 total – 1 solo, 4 assists).  The Hawks held an 8-to-2 service ace advantage, with three different Hawks recording two aces each.

NJIT's Carroll finished the match with a .500 hitting percentage (11 kills, 2 errors, 18 swings) while Danica Vukotic added 8 kills. Rookie Kat Janssen notched 6 kills on 9 swings with just one error for a .556 hitting percentage for the Highlanders, while adding 7 block assists on defense. 

Freshman setter Alyssa Armada combined for a match-high 35 assists and four digs, while the Highlanders had four players in with double-figure dig totals, led by Tinari and Nina Vukotic (12) followed by Fran Edmondson (11) and Danica Vukotic (10).  Edmondson added 5 block assists.

In the nightcap, CCSU won in straight sets comfortably, 25-10, 25-12, and 25-9, led by Heather Trueman's match-high 14 kills on 30 attempts with just one error for a .433 hitting percentage.   Setter Makenna Lommori recorded a match-high 26 assists to go along with 6 digs and 4 block assists. 

Nine out of 11 Blue Devils notched at least one dig on the night, paced by Cassidy Stankowski, Rachel Fish and Lommori with 6 apiece.  CCSU held a 7-0 advantage in the service ace category, as Nicole Celarek and Ashley Lenington had three aces each.

Danica Vukotic was the kills leader in the second match of the day for the Highlanders with 6 ,followed by twin sister Nina Vukotic's 5 kills.  Setter Armada got 18 assists and libero Camilla Tinari posted a match-high 7 digs.  Teammate Katie Goswick added 6 digs.

NJIT will break for a week and return to action on Saturday, September 27, when the Highlanders visit UMass Lowell for a 4pm match.  On Sunday, the Highlanders will travel to New Hampshire for a 1pm start.    

All-Tournament Team
Rachel Dunlap – CCSU – MVP
Makenna Lommori – CCSU
Heather Trueman – CCSU
 
Jackie Tamburri - Hartford
Sareeta Nethersole – Hartford
 
Michelle Cruz – Providence
Annie Russian – Proidence
 
Valerie Carroll – NJIT