NEWARK, NJ—Visiting Lehigh remains perfect in 2018 after a 3-0 victory at NJIT Tuesday evening in the home opener for the Highlanders inside the new Wellness and Events Center on the campus of NJIT.

Lehigh, who has won seven straight to start the season defeated the Highlanders in straight sets 25-15, 25-14 and 25-22. 

The Mountain Hawks were led by Sabrina Lancaster's match-high 11 kills followed by Emily Poole and Hannah Wright with six kills each.

Lehigh setter Megan Polak combined for a double-double with 25 assists and 11 digs while libero Emily Develle and Allison Garrett notched nine digs apiece.

Defensively in front of the net, Lehigh's Lauren Bright posted six block assists leading the visitors with an 8.0-to-2.0 team blocking advantage.

Lehigh held a 6-3 service ace advantage paced by Wright with four aces.

NJIT (1-6) was led by senior Jovana Baosic's 10 kills while Ivan Mandic added seven kills.  Baosic finished the match with a .250 hitting percentage.

Highlander setter Liz Benson piled up 23 assists to go along with eight digs while senior libero Adriana Nieto paced the match with 16 digs.

In the first frame, the visitors jumped out to an early lead, 5-0 and later 12-3.  NJIT went on a brief 4-1 spurt late in the set, pulling with eight, 23-15, after a kill by Baosic but the Mountain Hawks scored the final two points of the set for a 25-15 victory.

The second set Lehigh combined for a .387 hitting percentage, notching 13 kills on 31 attempts and just one error.  The Highlanders recorded a .143 hitting percentage in the frame.  Lehigh's Bright and Lancaster combined for nine kills in the 25-14 victory.

The final set, the closest of the three, saw five ties and three lead changes.  NJIT trailed midway through the set, scoring three consecutive points, close the Mountain Hawk gap to within two, 17-15.  Lehigh took a 21-17 advantage but the Highlanders pulled with one, 21-20, after block assists by Udo Nwosu and Marina Markaki.  The Mountain Hawks sealed the match, using a 4-2 spurt to close out the frame and notch a 25-22 victory.

NJIT will return to action this weekend at the La Salle Invitational.  The Highlanders will face host La Salle on Friday at 7pm.  NJIT will wrap up the Invitational on Saturday at 12:30pm against Rider and Kent State at 5pm.