NEWARK, NJ--After having the 2020 season cut short and the 2021 season delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NJIT is finally set to open the season on January 29-30 at the Red Flash Invitational hosted by Saint Francis U in Loretto, PA.
The Highlanders stood at 9-5 overall, 4-3 in the EIVA, when play was suspended, including four wins over nationally ranked opponents. NJIT returns six of its seven starters, three All-Americans and are led by Alvaro Gimeno, who shared Co-Player of the Year honors in the EIVA.
NJIT finished up the 2020 campaign winners of its final three matches, went 3-1 against MIVA members with wins over Ball State, Lindenwood and Purdue Fort Wayne.
Preseason EIVA Coaches Poll
The Highlanders were selected second in the 2021 Preseason Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Coaches' Poll, including one first-place vote. The Highlanders are also receiving votes in the NVA/AVCA Division I-II Men's Coaches Poll.
Scouting Loyola-Chicago
Loyola-Chicago enters the weekend with a 2-0 record after a pair of wins against Lincoln Memorial and Queens.
The Ramblers were picked to finish in second place in the 2021 Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Preseason Poll. A pair of Ramblers were also named to the Preseason All-MIVA Team – redshirt sophomore outside hitter Cole Schlothauer and senior setter Garrett Zolg.
Loyola-Chicago is 7-0 all-time against the Highlanders with its most recent meeting in 2017.
Scouting No. 4 Lewis
Lewis enters the weekend with a 3-0 record after a trio of wins against Campbellsville (KY), Queens and Lincoln Memorial.
Redshirt-senior Tyler Mitchem was named the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Defensive Player of the Week and the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Player of the Week on Tuesday (Jan. 26).
Mitchem was dominant in all three contests last weekend in helping Lewis to three victories during its season-opening homestand. He hit .610 while averaging 2.90 kills per set, including 19 total blocks and averaged 1.90 blocks per set.
Lewis is 11-1 all time against the Highlanders with its most recent meeting in 2019. NJIT's lone win over the Flyers was on January 20, 2006 when the Highlanders won a five-set thriller, 3-2.
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