VIDEO: Post-Match Interview w/ Head Coach Pedro Trevino

NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT women's volleyball team opened up its 2022 home schedule on Tuesday evening at the Wellness and Events Center and defeated Saint Peter's in straight sets.

The 25-21, 26-24, 25-21 victory was sparked by a tremendous offensive performances from Asher Vallone, Courtney Branch, and Cami Augustine, who each recorded at least nine kills. Branch also factored into the defensive effort with a match-best six blocks (three solo) as did Doga Emil, who tallied 19 digs in her first-career home match. Juliana Impaglia and Maddie Dennis split the setting duties for the Highlanders and dished out 26 and 12 assists, respectively.

"I'm proud of our student-athletes as they were able to do a few things tonight in areas where we struggled a bit over the weekend," said fourth-year Head Coach Pedro Trevino. "We got off to a great start and we were able to finish sets strong."

NJIT got off to a great start, using a 7-0 run to go ahead 10-3 early in the first set. Augustine finished the first frame with seven kills as the Highlanders held off the Peacocks 25-21 to go ahead 1-0 in the match.

The second set was a totally different picture as the Highlanders were forced to dig out of an early hole. NJIT trailed by as many as five, 18-13, late into the set, but didn't go away easy and eventually took its first lead of the frame at 25-24 on kill from Branch before a service ace from Ines Varlea clinched the match and gave the hosts a 2-0 advantage in the match.

Set number three was back-and-forth early before the Highlanders broke a 10-10 tie with three-straight points and never looked back, leading by as many as seven late in the frame. Vallone's 12th kill of the match ended it and gave NJIT its second straight-set win over SPU in as many seasons. 

Branch joined Vallone with double-digit kills (10) while hitting .389 for the match. Augustine finished with nine kills to go along with a match-best three service aces as NJIT dominated the Peacocks 8-1 in that category.

The Highlanders will look to continue their winning ways on Friday when they take the court against LIU in a 3:30pm match hosted by Bucknell.