NEWARK, NJ--The NJIT men's volleyball team will begin the second of the EIVA Conference schedule this weekend when the Highlanders visit Sacred Heart on Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13.

Game Information
Game times are slated for 7pm on Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13.  In-game statistics are available for both matches on www.NJITHighlanders.com.  

Highlanders Move Up One Spot in NVA/AVCA Top-15 Ranking
The NJIT men's volleyball program moved up one spot to No. 11 in the recent National Volleyball Association (NVA)/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I-II Men's Coaches top-15 poll the organization announced on Monday.

Previously ranked No. 12, NJIT moved up one spot after a weekend EIVA road series sweep at No. 14 George Mason.

2X EIVA Defensive Player of the Week
Graduate student Luca Berger has been selected EIVA Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week the league office announced on Monday.

In a 2-0 week for No. 12 NJIT, Berger averaged 1.86kps, .435 H% and 2.00blk as the Highlanders completed an EIVA weekend sweep at No. 14 George Mason.

Berger combined for 14 total blocks on the weekend and notched 10 kills, hit .600 and registered seven total blocks in NJIT's 3-0 win on Saturday.

His 1.18 blocks per set for the season ranks second and 0.41 service aces per set rank fourth in the EIVA.

Last Time Out
The NJIT men's volleyball team extended its win streak to seven straight, following a 3-0 (25-23, 25-18 and 25-19) victory at No. 14 George Mason in EIVA men's volleyball action at the Recreation Athletic Complex.

The victory was the seventh in a row for the Highlanders, ranked #11 in the latest AVCA Division I-II coaches poll, improved to 9-3 overall and 9-1 in the EIVA.

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 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 | 3.59kps, .364 H%
Julian Meissner | 3.17kps, .298 H%
Luca Berger | .464 H%, 1.18bps
Griffin Fieseler | 9.38aps

Scouting the Pioneers
Sacred Heart enters the weekend EIVA series with a 0-8 record.  

In the first meeting between the two teams, NJIT swept the Pioneers to open league play in Newark on February 4-5.

The Pioneers have taken a set from then-ranked No. 12 Penn State, Charleston (WV) and Saint Francis U.

Libero Timothy McIntosh leads the EIVA in digs per set with 2.78 and third in overall digs (75).

Next Up
The two teams will conclude its two-match EIVA weekend series on Saturday at 7pm.

Stay Connected
Stay up to date during the 2021 NJIT men's volleyball season by following @NJITMVB on Twitter and Instagram and liking the NJIT Men's Volleyball page on Facebook.