ALBANY, NY - The NJIT women's volleyball team played its first two America East Conference matches in program history on Saturday, falling to host Albany in five sets before dropping the second match to New Hampshire in four sets.

In the first match of the day, NJIT trailed 1-0, before winning sets two and three to take a 2-1 lead. Albany, the defending America East Conference Champions and preseason favorites to win the league again, rallied to take the fourth set and clinched the match with a fifth-set victory.

Udo Nwosu and Elley Torres each recorded 14 kills to lead the Highlanders against Albany. Kyla Lannert handled the setting duties and dished out 38 assists, while also collecting 13 digs and Courtney Branch led the defense at the net with four blocks. 

Torres and Nwosu once again paced the Highlanders attack against UNH, tallying 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Lannert followed up her 38-assist performance against Albany with 33 more against the Wildcats as fellow freshman Kaitlyn Arias' 24 digs were once again a team-high. This time, it was Michaela Dungan who led the team in blocks, finishing with four.

The Highlanders will play their first two home matches next Sunday when they welcome Stony Brook to the Wellness and Events Center for two matches. First serve of the opening match is slated for 3pm, with the second match set to take place 90 minutes after the conclusion of match one.