NEWARK, NJ—Visiting North Florida swept NJIT, 3-0, in ASUN Conference action Friday evening at the Wellness and Events Center.
 
The Ospreys won in straight sets – 25-22, 25-12 and 25-21.
 
North Florida improves to 7-16 overall, 2-6 in the ASUN while the Highlanders drop to 4-18 overall, 2-6 in the league.
 
Ospreys Gabby O'Connell led the match, combining for a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs.  Taryn Griffey added eight kills and a match-best six block assists.
 
North Florida setter Madilyn McCarty piled up 29 assists while Madison Donnelly led the match with 16 digs.
 
NJIT was paced by freshman Udo Nwosu with seven kills.  Liz Benson and Marissa Soistman split time at the setting position, piling up 13 and 10 assists respectively.
 
Senior libero Adriana Nieto notched 14 digs followed by Olivia Welsch with eight.
 
In the first frame, both teams traded points early, with the visitors taking an 8-5 advantage.  The Ospreys extended its lead after five consecutive points for a 17-12 lead.  The Highlanders answered with six straight points, pulling within one of UNF, 18-17.  North Florida scored the next three points, resulting in an NJIT timeout.  NJIT closed the gap to within one, 21-20, on a service ace by Olivia Welsch.  North Florida closed out the set on a 4-2 spurt for a 25-22 victory to take a 1-0 lead.
 
North Florida jumped out to a 7-1 lead and later extended its lead to 19-8 on a Highlander attacking error.  After a kill by Emily Krachenfels for NJIT, North Florida rattled off five straight for a 24-9 lead.  NJIT answered with three consecutive points but the Ospreys held on for the 25-12 victory on a kill by Kirby Smith.
 
The visiting Ospreys took control of the third set early, taking a 13-3 advantage.  NJIT's Jovana Basoic and Udo Nwosu combined for back-to-back points to get the Highlanders back on the board, 13-5.  NJIT rallied back down late in the set, scoring seven-straight, closing the Ospreys gap to 21-15.
 
NJIT will host non-conference Manhattan on Wednesday, October 17 at 7pm.