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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA—Penn State, ranked #7 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, won its eighth straight, despite three Highlanders reaching double-digit kill totals, with the Nittany Lions, defeating, visiting, NJIT, 3-1, Friday evening in EIVA action.

The Nittany Lions improved to 9-2, 4-0 in conference play, defeating the visiting Highlanders, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-22.  NJIT falls to 0-9 and 0-1 in the league.

Penn State's Chris Nuggent led the Nittany Lion offense, recordin 18 kills, while Matthew McLaren added 10 kills for the winners.  Setter Taylor Hammond finished with a match-best 55 assists.  Libero Royce Clemens paced the Nittany Lions defensively with a match-high 11 digs and Matt Callaway combined for 5 total blocks.

NJIT's Jabarry Goodridge and TJ Jurko paced the Highlanders with 16 kills apiece.  Goodridge combined for a .448 hitting percentage on 29 swings with just three errors while Jurko finished, hitting .407 on 27 swings with five errors.  Sophomore setter Cameron Tait piled up 38 sets while Jurko led the Highlanders defensively with seven digs.

The Highlanders started off on a positive note, winning the first set 25-21, hitting an impressive .667 as a team.

Penn State took the second frame, 25-21, holding the Highlanders to a .267 hitting percentage, evening the score 1-1.

Heading into the third set, Penn State jumped out to a 7-3 lead and would extend its advantage to 15-10 resulting in an NJIT timeout.  The Highlanders fought back, closing within four points, 17-24, after, trailing by as many as seven.  Penn State close out the set on a kill for a 25-20 victory, taking a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth frame.

In the fourth frame, the set saw eight ties, the latest tie coming at 22-22 after a Penn State kill, resulting in an NJIT timeout.  Out of the timeout, Penn State scored back-to-back points and would clinch the match, 25-22.

NJIT will return to action on Saturday at 7pm when the Highlanders visit EIVA opponent Saint Francis (PA).