HACKENSACK, NJ - The NJIT women's volleyball team overcame a sluggish start on Tuesday evening defeating host FDU in five sets in non-conference action at the Rothman Center.
FDU dominated the first set 25-11 and led 22-17 in the second before the Highlanders went on a 9-4 run to win the set and tie the match, 1-1. NJIT trailed by as many as eight twice in the set, but turned things around to get back into the match.
The Knights came from behind to take the third set, but NJIT was able to tie the match after four thanks to a convincing 25-20 win. The Highlander led 19-18, but scored four straight to go in front by five before closing the set on a pair of kills from freshman
Rowan Schreiber.
NJIT set the tone early in the winner-takes-all fifth set, scoring the five of the first six points. FDU was able to get within two twice, at 13-11 and 14-12, but the Highlanders clinched the match as
Maddie Dennis dished out her career-high 42nd assist of the night to
Adriana Goetz-Morales, who sent down her 11th kill of the night.
Sophomore transfer
Mariana Cova entered the match in the second set and helped turn things around with the best match of her young Highlander career. Cova tallied a team-high 15 kills and hit .458, while also collecting 10 digs for to complete the double-double. Additionally, Cova had four of the Highlanders' seven service aces.
Goetz-Morales and
Sara Siefert each finished with 11 kills to help the NJIT offensive attack, while
Taylor West (eight kills) and Schreiber (seven kills) also chipped in.
Schreiber recorded six blocks (one solo) on the evening as the Highlanders out-blocked the Knights 10-8.
In addition to her 42 assists, Dennis also had 10 kills to join Cova with a double-double.
NJIT will look to get over .500 for the first time this season on Saturday when it travels to Holy Cross. First serve is slated for 4pm.
