FAIRFAX, VA--NJIT hit an impressive .442 paced by junior outside hitter Alvaro Gimeno, who registered a match-best 11 kills' as the Highlanders swept No. 12 USC, 3-0, Saturday evening in the 2020 AVCA Showcase hosted by Geroge Mason in the RAC.
NJIT (1-1) won in straight sets 25-20, 25-20 and 25-17. In the first two sets, as a team, the Highlanders hit over .500 and combined for a .200 hitting percentage to seal the match in the third stanza.
The last time NJIT defeated a ranked team dates back to 2017, when the Highlanders defeated No. 15 George Mason, 3-1, on February 17.
"This was a great win for a very young hard working team," head coach Danny Goncalves commented post game. "We had to earn ever point and the team played a great match."
In addition to Gimeno's 11 kills, sophomore Jens Feldthus combined for 10 kills and freshman Julian Meissner with six. Gimeno combined for a .529 hitting percentage on 17 attempts and just two errors while Feldthus finished with a .438 hitting percentage on 16 swings and three errors.
NJIT held a 17-to-3 team blocking advantage paced by senior middle Luca Berger, who recorded 11 total blocks (two solo, nine assists) and Meissner with seven block assists.
Sophomore setter Roque Nido posted a match-high 30 assists while Feldthus led the Highlanders with four digs.
The Highlanders led the serve ace category, 5-to-3 paced by Gimeno's three aces.
USC (1-2) was led by Billy Fauntleroy's eight kills and Lucas Frassrand's six kills on eight attempts for a .625 hitting percentage. Setter Chris Hall notched 20 assists for the Trojans.
NJIT will return to action this weekend when the Highlanders visit McKendree on January 17 and Lindenwood on January 18.
#AVCAShowcase All Tournament Team
- Alvaro Gimeno, RS - NJIT
- Sam Greenslade, OH - George Mason
- Eric Beatty, OH - Stanford
- Stephen Moye, MB - Stanford
- Paul Bischoff, S - Stanford
- Jaylen Jasper, RS - Stanford
