BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY—Valparaiso swept NJIT, 3-0, on opening night play in the Terrier Invitational Friday hosted by St. Francis Brooklyn at the Genovesi Center.

Valpo won in straight sets 25-13, 25-23 and 25-21 to stay perfect with 5-0 won-lost record on the young season.

The Crusaders, who defeated Rider earlier on the day, 3-1, were paced by Allison Ketciham's team-high 14 kills.  Katherine Carlson hit an impressive .435 for the match, posting 12 kills on 23 swings with only two errors.  Taylor Graboski added eight kills for a .353 hitting percentage.

Valpo used two setters in the victory, led by Tarrah Lasky's 15 assists followed by Lizzie Zaleski's 11 assists.  Kelsey Berrington added six assists.

Libero Morganne Longoria led the way on the floor with a match-best 15 digs followed by 12 digs by Carlson and Ketcham.  The Crusaders posted a 5-to-3 service ace advantage led by Ketcham and Longoria with two aces apiece.

NJIT senior Danica Vukotic had 14 kills to share match-high honors with Valpo's Ketcham.  Twin sister Nina Vukotic added six kills for NJIT.

Emily Krachenfels, NJIT's freshman setter, collected a match-best 27 assists.  The Highlanders had three service aces in the match, two from libero Adriana Nieto and one from Danica Vukotic.

Nieto was the team-leader with 13 digs and newcomer Marija Tosic added 12.  Krachenfels just missed a double-double, recording nine digs to go with her 27 assists.

Freshman Jovana Baosic led the Highlanders in front of the net with two block assists.  Three Highlanders--Krachenfels, Danica Vukotic and Nina Vukotic had one block each in the match.

Both teams will continue on Saturday in the three-team round robin tournament.  The Highlanders will take on host St. Francis Brooklyn in a scheduled 10 am start and then close out the tournament with a 4 pm start against Rider.