NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT women's volleyball team dropped its home match on Tuesday night to Penn, falling in four sets to the Quakers. The Highlanders fought off defeat with a set three victory but were unable to extend the match to a fifth set.

Penn took the opening two sets, winning set one, 25-18, before claiming the second frame, 25-19. In set three, NJIT flipped the script by opening a healthy lead midway through and holding off a Quaker comeback in the end. After a kill for Penn tied things up, 6-6, the Highlanders rattled off three straight points to claim momentum. That would carry its way through most of set three, as NJIT eventually opened up a 17-8 advantage after a kill from Ema Torres. Penn rallied to make things close, but NJIT were able to keep the visitors at bay and take set three. The Quakers would bounce back to take the fourth set, 25-15, to win the match.

Torres collected nine kills on the night, followed closely by Ilayda Dincer and her eight kills, nine digs and two service aces. Reigning America East Defensive Specialist of the Week Doga Emil finished the night with 19 digs. Finley McAndrew paced the Highlanders with 20 assists paired with seven digs and two kills.

Up Next
The Highlanders will head to Delaware this weekend to take part in the Delaware State Invitational, starting with a matchup against George Washington on Friday at 4 p.m.