NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT women's volleyball jumps back into action this weekend as they travel to upstate New York to take part in the Siena Invitational. The Highlanders will face Syracuse on Friday at 2:30 p.m., followed by a pair of matches on Saturday. NJIT will face Idaho at 11 a.m. before taking on Siena at 6 p.m.

Weekend Schedule
Friday vs. Syracuse – 2:30 p.m. (WATCH | LIVE STATS)
Saturday vs. Idaho – 11 a.m. (WATCH | LIVE STATS)
Saturday at Siena – 6 p.m. (WATCH | LIVE STATS)

Last Time Out
The Highlanders traveled to Queens on Tuesday night to face BIG EAST foe St. John's, falling in three sets. Prior to that, NJIT went 1-2 at the Seton Hall Classic, defeating Sacred Heart in five sets on Sunday. Doga Emil was named to the All-Tournament Team, punctuated by tallying 21 digs, four assists and two service aces against the Pioneers.

News & Notes

• NJIT will be facing Syracuse for the second time this season on Friday. The two teams met in their respective season openers on Aug. 30, with the Orange prevailing in straight sets.
• Sara Siefert collected her third career double-double on Sep. 3 against Saint Peter's, finishing with a career-high 12 digs and finishing one off a career-best with 15 kills.
• The NJIT freshmen have had strong starts to the 2024 campaign. Of the top four on the team in kills, freshmen Ema Torres and Aries Fontaine ranks second and third, respectively. In the assists department, Finley McAndrew and Cece Marino have been the driving forces, ranking in the top two in that category on the team.
• Marino's service game has been strong as well, entering the weekend tops in the America East in aces per set (0.52).
• The Highlanders have two of the top five in blocks per set in the America East so far this season. Ines Varela currently sits second (1.15) while Taylor West ranks fifth (0.92).
• Doga Emil enters the weekend ranked sixth in the conference in digs per set (2.98).

Who's Back?
Trevino welcomes back 11 student-athletes from last year's team which picked up nine wins on the season. The seniors feature team captains Varela and Walker, as well as Cami Augustine. Four juniors will take the floor for the Highlanders in 2024 in Mariana Cova, Maddie Dennis, Doga Emil and Taylor West. The sophomore returnees consist of Ashlynn Berns, Olivia Grall, Rowan Schreiber and Sara Siefert.

Who's New?
Six newcomers join NJIT's roster for the 2024 campaign, consisting of four freshmen, one sophomore and one graduate transfer. Aries Fontaine, Cece Marino, Finley McAndrew and Ema Torres make up the freshman class. Patricia Rakova joins the team as a sophomore, while Arkansas State tranfser Ilayda Dincer comes to Newark for her graduate year.

#ProtectTheWEC
NJIT will play seven home matches this season, starting off with its home opener against Saint Peter's on Sept. 3. The Highlanders will also welcome UPenn to Newark in non-conference action, with that match being held on Sept. 17. All five America East foes will travel to the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center this season. The matches against Bryant (Oct. 25) and New Hampshire (Oct. 27) will be streamed on ESPN+. All other home matches will be available for free on americaeast.tv.

Follow the Highlanders
Keep up with the NJIT women's volleyball team all season long by following on X/Twitter and Instagram (@NJITWVB).