NEWARK, NJ--Riding a five-match win streak, No. 12 NJIT will visit No. 14 George Mason this weekend in EIVA Conference men's volleyball action.
Game Information
Games times are slated for 7pm on Friday, March 5 and Friday, March 6. Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+ with in-game statistics available on www.NJITHighlanders.com.
A simple way to find ESPN+ is on NJIT's official athletics website, www.njithighlanders.com. Near the middle of the home page under the headlines section, an upcoming events calendar lists scheduled NJIT contests. After finding the event, click the camera icon to the left of the event listing. That brings you to an ESPN portal where you can access the desired program.
Highlanders Move Up Two Spots in NVA/AVCA Top-15 Ranking
The NJIT men's volleyball program checked in at No. 12 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. 14, the Highlanders moved up two spots after a weekend series sweep against Saint Francis U this past weekend, picking up a pair of 3-0 victories.
A trio of EIVA teams remain ranked in the AVCA Division I-II coaches' poll. Penn State remained at No. 10, NJIT is No. 12 and George Mason No. 14.
AVCA Player of the Week & EIVA Defensive Player of the Week
Graduate student Luca Berger has been selected Sports Imports/AVCA Player of the Week the organization announced on Tuesday.
This is the second career honor for the Highlanders middle blocker.
Berger helped lead the Highlanders to a series sweep of Saint Francis U on Thursday and Friday at NJIT's Wellness and Events Center in Newark.
A native of Brazil, Berger was solid at the net in both matches, recording eight blocks (two solo) on Thursday and four more on Friday. He also played well offensively, hitting .500 and .375, respectively, in the two wins over the Red Flash.
The eight blocks rank third in NCAA Men's DI-DII for total blocks in a three-set match this season.
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 | 3.71kps, .376 H%
Julian Meissner | 3.26kps, .306 H%
Griffin Fieseler | 9.42aps
Gimeno leads the EIVA in kills per set (3.71) while Meissner ranks fourth (3.26). Gimeno also ranks second in total kills (126) and hitting percentage (.376).
Libero Joe Kennedy ranks in the top four in digs per set (1.74) and total digs (61) while Fieseler sits in third averaging 9.39 assists.
Scouting the Patriots
George Mason enters the weekend EIVA series with a 7-3 overall record, 4-2 in conference action and 7-1 at home inside the Recreation Athletic Complex.
The Patriots, ranked No. 14 in the latest AVCA DI-II Coaches Poll, dropped its previous two matches at No. 10 Penn State last weekend. Prior to the pair of losses against the Nittany Lions, the Patriots won six straight matches.
Hayden Wagner ranks second in the EIVA in kills per set (3.38) while Trevor Kennan sits in second in digs per set (2.69).
Next Up
The two teams will conclude its two-match EIVA weekend series on Saturday at 7pm on ESPN+.
