JERSEY CITY, NJ—NJIT women's volleyball absorbed a 3-2 defeat at Saint Peter's Wednesday night in the Yanitelli Center in women's volleyball non-conference action.
NJIT (4-12) had overcome a 2-0 deficit after Saint Peter's won the first two sets, 25-16 and 25-20. The Highlanders rallied to take the third frame in extra points, 29-27, followed by a 25-22 victory in the fourth, sending the match into a deciding fifth set.
In the deciding set, the visiting Highlanders jumped out to a 6-2 advantage. Saint Peter's rallied back pulling within one of NJIT, 7-8, resulting in an NJIT timeout. The Highlanders went on a 4-2 run, taking a 12-9 lead on a service ace by freshman Adriana Nieto.
Both teams traded points, as the Highlanders held a 15-14 advantage after a kill by freshman Marija Tosi,c but the Peacocks closed out of the match on a 3-0 run, capped by a kill by Kenyale Mcinnis, for a 17-15 victory.
NJIT senior outside hitter Danica Vukotic combined for a double-double, recording a match-best 24 kills and team-high 25 digs. NJIT's Nina Vukotic posted a double-double of her own, notching 17 kills and 14 digs while junior middle Anneka Harris posted 12 kills.
Freshman setter Emily Krachenfels registered a match-best 53 assists while five Highlanders recorded double-digit dig totals, paced by Danica Vukotic's 25 digs. Libero Nieto followed with 19 digs, Nina Vukotic (14), Krachenfels and Tosic (12).
In front of the net, sophomore Tess Albyn and Tosic each recorded two block assists for the Highlanders.
Saint Peter's (2-9) was paced by senior right side hitter Lauren Behrens, who combined for a double-double, 18 kills and match-best 27 digs, followed by junior outside hitter Amanda Colombo's 11 kills.
Junior setter Kaitlyn Sitton just missed posting a double-double with a team-high 36 assists and nine digs to go along with five total blocks (1 solo, 4 assist).
The Peacocks had four players reach double-digit dig totals led by Behrens with (27) followed by Marlena Budna (12), Greta Varvell (11) and McGinnis (10).
Middle hitters Budna and Varvell led the Peacocks to a 14-to-3 team blocking advantage. Budna combined for seven total blocks (one solo, six assists) while Varvell posted six block assists.
The home team held a slight 9-to-7 service ace advantage paced by Colombo's match-high six aces, while NJIT's Tosic and Nina Vukotic notched two aces each.
Next up for the Highlanders is a match against Atlantic Sun Conference Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles will visit NJIT on Friday at 7pm in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.
FGCU, which won 19 matches last season, comes to Newark with a 9-6 overall mark, 1-0 in conference play with its lone win over Stetson (3-1) on September 26.
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