Box Score NEWARK, NJ – The NJIT women's volleyball team starts off America East play with a tough loss to UMBC on Friday night.

Set Scores
Set 1: UMBC - 25 | NJIT - 18
Set 2: UMBC - 25 | NJIT - 18
Set 3: NJIT - 27 | UMBC - 25
Set 4: UMBC - 25 | NJIT - 13

The Highlanders open conference play with a tough matchup against UMBC in a match that was dominated from start to finish by the Retrievers.

The first two sets of the match were controlled all by UMBC as the Retrievers offensive attack overwhelmed the Highlanders. It wasn't until the third set that the Highlanders' offense was able to settle down and find their groove to match the pace of the Retrievers.

In the third set the Highlanders used an early run to get back within striking distance and went point for point with the Retrievers. Later in set three the Highlanders showed their resilience and took a 19-18 lead. After a UMBC timeout, the Retrievers went on a run to regain the lead but were quickly answered by the Highlanders whose offense was clicking and went on a run of their own to secure their first conference set win of the season.

The fourth and final set of the match was like the third set with both squads exchanging points. It was until halfway through the set that the Retrievers went on a run to gain a five-point lead and force a Highlander timeout. After the timeout, the Retrievers offense continued as they powered their way to the set win and the match win.

Leading the way for the Highlanders was sophomore Ema Torres who had a team high 11 points and 11 kills. Senior Mariana Cova and Sophomore Aries Fontaine held the back line for the Highlanders, both having the team high in digs with 12 each.

Up Next
NJIT caps off their four-game home stretch and competes in their second America East contest on Sunday the 28th where the Highlanders will take on New Hampshire at the WEC for a 3:30 p.m. start.