BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY – NJIT women's volleyball fell 3-2 to UMass Lowell in their final match of the 2017 Terrier Classic hosted by St. Francis Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon.

Even though NJIT dropped the five-set decision, the Highlanders (2-4) scored more points (82.0-76.0), posted more kills (60-59), aces (11-7), blocks (11-10) and digs (83-75) than the victorious River Hawks.

Junior transfer Iva Mandic notched a match-high and new season-best 23 kills for NJIT.  Seniors Mikalah Hughes and Tess Albyn combined for 22 kills.

Before leaving the game due to injury, setter Emily Krachenfels combined for 25 assists and three service aces.  Krachenfels was named to the all-tournament team.

Replacing the injured Krachenfels, senior Alyssa Armada accumulated 25 assists and recorded three blocks.

Junior libero Adriana Nieto posted a match-high 24 digs and recorded three aces, while Adrianne Bynoe combined for eight total blocks.

For the River Hawks (2-3) Madi Bell recorded 20 kills with Haley Shimon posting 17 and Masha Yelsukova 10. Erica Cappellino accumulated a match-high four aces, and setter McKenna Bova piled up 46 assists.

The sets went back and forth with the Highlanders winning the first 25-18, and the River Hawks tying it up winning the second 25-20.

The third set was the closest set, with NJIT sneaking outto fa 26-24 win. The Highlanders needed one more point leading 24-23, and Shimon tied it up for UML with a kill. Mandic would score the final two points for the Highlanders to give them the win.

The River Hawks took the final two sets 25-23 and 15-12 in the fifth and deciding set to gain their second win of the season.

NJIT will return to action at the Hartford Invitational on September 8.