COLUMBUS, OH–No. 14 Ohio State blanked visiting NJIT, 3-0, Friday evening in non-conference men's volleyball action.

Ohio State moves to 2-0 on the young season while the Highlanders, who opened the season with a pair of matches at No. 2 Hawaii, stand at 0-3 on the year.

The Buckeyes swept the visiting Highlanders – 25-21, 25-19 and 25-21.

Newcomer Andre Aleixo led the Highlanders with eight kills followed by Parker Moorhead (7).  Setter Bruno Figueiredo combined for 17 kills and four digs while libero Ron Tidhar combined for six digs.  Aleixo added four digs and two service aces for the Highlanders. 

Ohio State opened up the first frame on a 7-3 run, including four in a row, resulting in a timeout by the Highlanders. The Buckeyes held a four-point lead, 13-7, until the Highlanders rallied to tie the set at 15-all behind a 5-1 spurt.  Both teams traded points and were tied at 20-all when Ohio State closed out the frame on a 5-1 run of their own to record a 25-21 victory.

NJIT started the second frame ahead 5-3 but the Buckeyes quickly closed the gap scoring five consecutive points for an 8-5 advantage and resulting in a timeout by NJIT.  Ohio State extended its lead behind a 6-1 run to take a seven-point lead, 14-7.  The Highlanders closed the Buckeyes gap in the mid-teens, pulling within four, 20-16, on a kill by Wiktor Nowak.  Ohio State scored the final four out of seven points of the set and went ahead 2-0 with a 25-19 victory.

Both teams traded points to begin the third set with Ohio State scoring three straight points, breaking a 5-5 tie and taking an 8-5 advantage. The Buckeyes pushed ahead to five, 12-7, behind a quick 4-1 spurt.  NJIT scored a pair of back-to-back points in the early teens, cutting the lead down to four, 15-11 but the Buckeyes responded and went ahead by six, 18-12.  NJIT continued to battle back in the set, cutting the Ohio State lead to four, 18-14, and late in the set 24-21, behind a 5-2 spurt.  Ohio State scored the final point to secure the 3-0 sweep with a 25-21 victory.

Next Up
NJIT will continue its three-match road swing and visit No. 16 Ball State on Saturday at 5pm.  The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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