JACKSONVILLE, FL—NJIT picked up its first ASUN Conference win of the 2018 season in the Highlanders, 3-2, come-from-behind victory at Jacksonville Saturday evening at Swisher Gymnasium.
NJIT (1-5 ASUN, 3-17 overall) snaps a three-match skid in the win at Jacksonville while Jacksonville moves to 1-5 in the ASUN, 2-16 overall.
Trailing, 2-0, the Highlanders recorded a 25-21 win in the third set and 25-17 victory in the fourth to force a fifth and deciding set. NJIT secured the win with a 15-12 win in the fifth set. Jacksonville won the first two sets, 25-16 and 25-19.
In the fifth and deciding frame, the set saw four ties and one lead change, the final tie at 8-all. NJIT scored four consecutive points, pushing its lead to four, 12-9, after back-to-back kills by
Iva Mandic.
After a point by Jacksonville, NJIT scored the next two points on a block assist by
Madi Busler and
Jovana Baosic and block solo by Baosic, giving the Highlanders a 14-10 lead. The Dolphins responded with consecutive points, pulling within two, 14-12, but NJIT's Baosic secured the 15-12 win with her 13
th kill of the match.
Senior middle
Jovana Baosic paced the Highlanders with 13 kills while
Madi Busler and
Udo Nwosu added eight kills apiece.
Highlander setters
Marissa Soistman and
Liz Benson split time at the setting position, notching 21 and 18 assists respectively.
Defensively, NJIT senior libero
Adriana Nieto led the Highlanders with 19 digs followed by
Olivia Welsch (17) and Busler (12).
In front of the net, the visitors held a 10-to-8 advantage led by four total blocks (one solo, four assists) from
Iva Mandic and Busler.
Jacksonville had three players reach double-digit kills led by Mallory Mattingly with 18 followed by Sara Dyslin (12) and Hannah Marchand (10).
The Dolphins Natalie Wehner posted a match-high 29 digs while Morgan Dees combined for 16. Four different Dolphins posted six digs.
The home team held a 10-to-7 advantage in the service ace category led by Marchand with seven aces. NJIT's Nieto and Welsch each recorded a pair of aces in the win.
NJIT will return to action at home on October 9 when the Highlanders host first-time opponent North Alabama in the Wellness and Events Center. First spike is scheduled for 7pm.
