Post Game Interview & Highlights vs. FDU

NEWARK, NJ—NJIT's Madi Busler and Tess Albyn combined for 36 kills in the Highlanders 3-1 victory over visiting Fairleigh Dickinson in the 2017 home opener Tuesday evening at the Fleisher Athletic Center.

The Highlanders, winners of its last four straight, improve to 6-7 on the season while Fairleigh Dickinson drops to 3-11.

NJIT won 23-25, 25-20, 25-17 and 25-20.

The win marks the second straight victory over the Knights, as the two last met at the Lafayette Invitational, with the Highlanders coming out on top, 3-0, on September 16.

Busler combined for her second double-double of the season, matching a match-best 19 kills to go along with 13 digs.  The sophomore transfer has notched double-digit kills in seven-out-of-nine games this season.

Albyn, who hit an impressive .433 for the match, combined for her eighth double-digit kill match, posting 17 kills on 30 attempts with just four errors.

Sophomore Liz Benson recorded a double-double of her own, combining for a season-best 48 assists and tied her season-best in digs with 27.  The 6-foot setter added six total blocks (1 solo, 5 assists).

In addition to Benson's match-best 27 digs, libero Adriana Nieto posted 19 digs for the Highlanders followed by Busler with 13.

Senior middle Mikalah Hughes paced the match with seven blocks (all assists) while adding seven kills for NJIT.

The Highlanders held a 6-4 service ace advantage led by Nieto and Benson each notching two aces apiece.

Fairleigh Dickinson was led by Erika Sullivan with 10 kills while setter McKennsa Setterlund notched a double-double with 31 assists and 16 digs, a team-best.

Carly O'Sullivan led the Knights with 17 digs followed by Setterlund (16), Taylor Wycoff (13) and Allison Koester (12).

In front of the net, Annabel Reyes led the visitors with four block assists.

The visiting Knights won the first set, 25-23, after the frame saw eight ties and two lead changes.  The Highlanders held a 17-14 advantage after a Knight error resulting in a timeout.  Fairleigh Dickinson scored six straight, taking a 20-17 lead but the Highlanders rallied back to cut the deficit to one on three occasions late.  Fairleigh Dickinson went on to notch the final point to take a 25-23 victory.

In a tight second set, NJIT held an 18-13 lead.  The Knights scored four consecutive points, pulling within one, 17-18, on a block by Abigail Strebig. 

NJIT used a late 4-1 spurt to hold on to a 25-20 victory and knot the match at 1-1.

NJIT combined for a .267 hitting percentage in the third set and cruised to a 25-17 victory behind Busler's eight kills.

Late in the fourth set, Fairleigh Dickinson inched its way back into the set, scoring three straight points, closing the Highlander gap to one, 20-21.  After a timeout by NJIT, the Highlanders scored the final four points and went on to win, 25-20.

NJIT will begin ASUN Conference action on Saturday at 1pm when the Highlanders host USC Upstate in the Fleisher Athletic Center.