Newark, NJ - The NJIT women's volleyball team opens up its home schedule on Tuesday when the Highlanders welcome Saint Peter's to the Wellness and Events Center for a 6pm first serve.
Watch the Action Live
Tuesday's match, and all nine NJIT home matches this season, will be streamed free of charge. Ira Thor will bring you the action beginning with first serve at 6pm on AmericaEast.TV. Live stats will also be available.
Familiar Foes
NJIT and Saint Peter's will meet for the 21st time on Tuesday, with the Highlanders holding a 15-5 edge in the series. Last season, NJIT took the matchup, the season opener for both teams, in straight sets. The Highlanders and Peacocks will meet for a second time this season on Saturday, Sept. 10, in a match hosted by Providence.
Award Season
Asher Vallone was the first NJIT student-athlete to take home an individual honor this season when she was named to the Huskie Invitational All-Tournament Team following last weekend's event. Vallone played in a pair of matches and had 19 kills and a .400 hitting percentage. The sophomore posted career-highs of 12 kills and 16 digs in the season opener at Northern Illinois.
Fearless Leaders
Prior to the season, Trevino announced that seniors
Katelyn Bliesner and
Juliana Impaglia will serve as team captains. Both are four-year members of the program.
New Faces
Trevino welcomed four new student-athletes to the program this season in freshmen
Maddie Dennis,
Doga Emil, and
Taylor West, as well as sophomore transfer
Kylie Flynn. Additionally, Trevino hired
Jackie Ahlers to serve as his assistant coach. Ahlers, a former All-American at St. John's and America East Player of the Year at Stony Brook, previously coached at NJIT in 2017.
Top Returners
In addition to the four newcomers, Trevino brings back 12 members of the 2021 squad, including five seniors, two juniors, and five sophomores. Top returners include
Ines Varela, who was named to the All-Rookie Team in 2021,
Adriana Goetz-Morales, the team's top offensive threat last season (200 kills, 2.35 k/s), and
Courtney Branch, who tallied 91.0 blocks to lead the Highlanders in 2021.
Up next
NJIT hits the road for three matches this weekend at Bucknell. The Highlanders will take on LIU Friday at 3:30pm before playing the host Bison at 9am Saturday and wrapping up the event against George Washington at 2pm on Saturday.
