WEST HARTFORD, CT - The NJIT women's volleyball team took on America East foe Hartford in a pair of matches on Sunday, falling twice to the Hawks at the Reich Center.

The Hawks won both matches in straight sets, taking the first 25-15, 25-12, 25-22, before winning the second 25-21, 25-19, 25-20.

Sunday's matches were the first two of the season for the Hawks, which fell in five sets in the 2019 America East title game in their last match. NJIT is still looking for its first win of the spring 2021 season through seven matches, six of which were America East contests.

Freshman Elley Torres led the Highlanders in kills in each match, tallying nine in the opener and eight more in match two. Torres' classmate, Kyla Lannert, handled the setting duties for NJIT on Sunday and dished out 22 and 21, respectively.

Sophomore Courtney Branch was also solid offensively, with a combined 10 kills in the two matches against just two errors. Branch hit .364 in each match on Sunday.

NJIT's third freshman that saw action, Kaitlyn Arias, was the team leader in digs, recording 13 in each match. Lannert had three block assists in the first match of the day, while a pair of sophomores, Adriana Goetz-Morales and Katelyn Bliesner, each finished the second match with three block assists.

The Highlanders will return to action next Sunday and Monday with a pair of matches against Binghamton and UMBC at the Wellness and Events Center in Newark. NJIT will also host UNH at the WEC as all four squads will play four matches against two teams over the two full days of action.