NEWARK, NJ--NJIT will open EIVA Conference play on Thursday, February 4 and Friday, February 5, welcoming Sacred Heart in the home opener for the Highlanders inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
Game Information
Game times are slated for 6pm on both Thursday, February 4 and Friday, February 5. The matches will be streamed live on www.NJITHighlanders.com with in-game statistics available on www.NJITHighlanders.com.
Last Time Out
No. 4 Lewis rallied back, down 2-0, to win a five-set thriller from NJIT despite Alvaro Gimeno's season-best 20 kills on day two at the Red Flash Invitational hosted by Saint Francis U at DeGol Arena in men's volleyball non-conference action.
In the fifth and deciding set, Lewis went up 4-1 and extended its lead to 6-3. A 3-1 run by the Highlanders closed the Flyers gap to one, 7-6, on a kill by Julian Meissner. NJIT tied the set at 9-9 after three straight points by the Highlanders. Lewis closed out the match with a 6-2 run for a 15-12 victory in the final set for a come-from-behind win, 3-2.
NJIT (0-2) won the first sets, 25-23 and 25-15 but Lewis (4-0) took the third frame, 25-19, fought off a set-point in the fourth set with a 27-25 win and earned the victory with a 15-12 win in the fifth and deciding set.
In addition to Alvaro Gimeno's 20 kills, the senior opposite combined for a .256 hitting percentage, including six digs, three total blocks (one solo, two assists) and two service aces. Sophomore Julian Meissner registered 16 kills and six digs, combining for a .289 hitting percentage.
Freshman setter Griffin Fieseler recorded a team-best 33 assists followed by senior Zachary Hresko with 12 assists and three digs.
In front of the net, Martin de Chavarria led the Highlanders with six total blocks (four solo; two assists) followed by five from Luca Berger (two solo, three assists).
Scouting the Pioneers
Sacred Heart will open its 2021 campaign at NJIT.
Last season, the Pioneers finished with a 5-11 overall record, 0-7 in the EIVA.
Sacred Heart rounded out the preseason EIVA Coaches poll in sixth.
Preseason EIVA Coaches Poll
NJIT has been selected second in the 2021 Preseason Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Coaches' Poll.
The Highlanders stood at 9-5 overall, 4-3 in the EIVA, when play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. NJIT returns all seven starters led by Alvaro Gimeno, who shared Co-Player of the Year honors in the EIVA.
Penn State is the favorite to return to the top of the EIVA this season and were a near-unanimous selection, earning five of the six votes from the coaches.
NJIT picked up the other first-place vote while George Mason captured third.
Team Statistical Leaders
Alvaro Gimeno | 4.25kps, .273 H%
Julian Meissner | 3.75kps, .312 H%
Jens Feldthus | 2.25dps
Luca Berger & Martin de Chavarria | 0.88bps
Next Up
NJIT will play the next four matches on the road, first visiting No. 11 Penn State on February 13-14 and then visiting Charleston (WV) on February 19-20.
