NEWARK, NJ– Junior outside hitter Jabarry Goodridge had a sensational match, collecting 27 kills, and senior teammate TJ Jurko added 12 and 12 digs, but it was in vain, as the NJIT men's volleyball team dropped a thrilling heartbreaker to George Mason in five sets, falling 3-2 (22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 27-25 and 14-16) at the Fleisher Athletic Center Friday night.
 
The loss dropped the Highlanders to 2-12 overall and 2-3 in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. George Mason improved to 6-10 overall and 2-4 in the EIVA.
 
The Highlanders also received 14 digs from freshman libero Chris Wise. Jurko had five service aces and sophomore setter Cameron Tait had 50 assists for the Highlanders.
 
Jack Wilson paced the Patriots with 27 kills and four digs. Brian Negron had 10 digs to lead the winners. Radoslav Popov had 12 kills and Christian Malias and Garrett Kollar 10 each for George Mason.
 
In the first game, the Patriots overcame an early five-point deficit to win, 25-22, thanks to the fine net play of freshman Negron, who had three kills among the Patriots' final six points. Jurko had eight total points for the Highlanders, who also received five kills from Goodridge. Wilson and Malias had four kills each to pace George Mason.
 
George Mason took the second game behind the fine net play of Wilson, who scored the team's last three points in a 25-23 victory. Wilson broke a 22-22 tie with a kill, then pushed the lead to 24-22 with another.
 
Again, the Patriots came from behind to claim the win, coming back from a 14-10 deficit to win the game. Wilson had four of his team's last seven points in the win. Wilson had 11 kills total in the second game. Goodridge was once again solid in defeat, collecting seven kills, including two straight at one point.
 
The Highlanders rebounded to win set three and keep the match alive, winning 25-20. Jurko was the hero down the stretch for the Highlanders, recording two service aces and a kill in the final five points.
Goodridge was solid for the other two points on solid blocks at the net, giving the Highlanders the victory.
 
The Highlanders drew even with a thrilling 27-25 win in set four. Luke Robbe's block sealed the deal for NJIT, sending the match to a fifth and deciding game. Goodridge was again the star, collecting 12 points, including eight kills. Wilson had nine points, including four kills, for the Patriots.
 
The Patriots won the match with a kill from Wilson and then an attack error ended the match.
 
The Highlanders return to action Saturday night, when they host to McKendree at the Fleisher Athletic Center, beginning at 7 pm.
 
Courtesy of Jim Hague