NEWARK, NJ—Visiting Kennesaw State, the defending ASUN Conference tournament and regular season champions, swept NJIT, 3-0, Friday evening inside the Wellness and Events Center in league action.
The Owls (10-4, 1-0 ASUN) won in straight sets – 26-24, 25-11 and 25-16 paced by Lauren Chastang's match-high 14 kills.
Reigning ASUN Conference Freshman of the Year, Dani Ballou, hit .357 for the match with seven kills. Madeline Johnson provided a big spark off the bench, notching five kills, finishing the match hitting .625 with no errors. Sophomore Quin Sutphin led the team with five blocks. Karlee Groover combined for nine digs for the Owls.
NJIT's (1-13, 0-1 ASUN) was paced by
Madi Busler with eight kills and five digs followed by
Udo Nwosu with six kills and three digs. Setters
Marissa Soistman and
Liz Benson split time at the setting positon, tallying 12 and 10 assists respectively.
Adriana Nieto and
Olivia Welsch each notched seven digs for NJIT.
In a tight first set, Kennesaw State took control early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and later 10-4. Midway through the set, with the Owls ahead, 13-6, the Highlanders used a 10-1 spurt, pulling ahead for the first time in the frame, 16-14. NJIT held a slight advantage, 21-18, resulting in the Owls second timeout of the set. The Owls closed the gap to within one, 22-21, as the set saw its first tie at 24-all. Kennesaw State scored the final two points of the set and went on for a 26-24 victory.
To start the second set, both teams traded points early but the visiting Owls scored four straight, pushing ahead, 13-6, resulting in a timeout. Kennesaw State scored the next four consecutive points, increasing its lead to 16-7. After two points by the Highlanders, the Owls used a 9-4 spurt to close out the frame with a 25-11 win.
Kennesaw State continued its momentum into the third set, taking an early 9-4 lead. The Owls built their lead to as high as, 10, 21-11, following a 5-0 run capped off by kill. The home team attempted to pull its way back into the set, but Kennesaw State ended the set on a kill for a 25-16 win and clinched the sweep.
NJIT will return to action on Saturday at 6pm when the Highlanders host Lipscomb inside the Wellness and Events Center.
