NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT women's volleyball team will head north to New York's Capital Region this weekend as the Highlander prepare to take on UAlbany on Sunday in their America East Conference opener. 

When and Where
The Highlanders and Great Danes will meet Sunday on the campus of Russell Sage College in Albany as the UAlbany's gym is currently being renovated. First serve is scheduled for 4pm. 

Follow Along
Sunday's match will be streamed on AmericaEast.TV and live stats will be available. Links to both can be found on the NJIT women's volleyball schedule page. 

Historically Speaking
UAlbany currently leads the series 3-1 and took both matches last season. All four matches have taken place since NJIT joined the America East in the summer of 2020.

Award Season
NJIT went 2-0 last week and a pair of student-athletes were honored by the America East for their strong performances in the victories over Iona and Hartford. Elley Torres was named the conferences Player of the Week, while Juliana Impaglia was named Setter of the Week.

Torres, a junior outside hitter averaged 3.25 kills per set over the week, hitting an impressive .457 to go along with 1.75 digs per set. She recorded a career-high 17 kills to go along with eight digs in Wednesday's win and followed it up with nine more kills on just 11 swings for a .818 hitting percentage vs. Hartford. Torres also tallied six digs and assisted on three blocks in the sweep of the Hawks.

Impaglia, a senior setter, averaged 9.38 assists last week to go along with 2.63 dgs per set. She handled the setting and dished out 34 assists as NJIT hit a season-high .458 against Hartford on Friday.

STREAKING
The Highlanders enter America East play on a three-match winning streak, the program's first since 2017. 

Branch's Big Night
Senior Courtney Branch turned in one of the best individual performances in program history in Tuesday's three-set sweep of Manhattan. Branch sent down 14 kills on 15 attacks for a .933 hitting percentage to go along with a pair of blocks. 

NJIT Leaders
Kills: Asher Vallone (127)
Assists: Juliana Impaglia (457)
Service Aces: Juliana Impaglia (15)
Blocks: Courtney Branch (63)
Digs: Doga Emil (219)

Up Next
The Highlanders will return home for their first America East match at the Wellness and Events Center this season. NJIT will put its 3-1 home record on the line when it hosts New Hampshire at 7:30pm on Friday evening.