Post Game Interview w/ ESPN+ Ira Thor and Danny Goncalves
NJIT Highlights
NEWARK, NJ–NJIT, ranked No. 19 in the AVCA Coaches Poll secured a 3-0 victory over George Mason on Friday night in EIVA Conference action at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness & Events Center.
NJIT, which won in straight sets – 30-28, 25-19, and 25-23 recorded a total of 11.5 blocks and hit .276 in the match.
This victory marked NJIT's ninth straight win, matching the NJIT Division I record for consecutive victories and moved the Highlanders to 4-0 at home.
Freshman Andre Aleixo led the Highlanders with 14 kills and five digs, contributing significantly to the team's offensive efforts. Sophomore setter Bruno Figueiredo orchestrated the attack with 30 assists and added five digs, while also recording four total blocks. Sophomore Wiktor Nowak added nine kills and registered three total blocks. Alex Heins registered five total blocks and added one service ace.
NJIT (9-5, 4-0 EIVA) opened the first set with a strong defensive presence, securing the first three points through blocks and extended its lead behind kills from Aleixo and Figueiredo, 12-8. However, the Patriots capitalized on service errors and aces from Alexander Lillie to level the score at 13-13. The set remained tightly contested, with both teams exchanging points until NJIT edged out a 30-28 victory, with the final point coming from a block by Parker Moorhead and Heins.
The Highlanders secured the second set with a 25-19 victory behind a .409 team hitting percentage. NJIT jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead and later pushed its lead to 19-14 after a quick 3-1 spurt. The Highlanders scored the final five out of seven points to take a 2-0 lead with a 25-19 victory.
The third set showcased a tight contest between the Highlanders and the Patriots, with NJIT ultimately prevailing 25-23. Early on, service errors from both teams kept the score close. Nowak was instrumental, delivering multiple kills, including one at 6-5 and again at 12-9. George Mason battled back and knotted the score late in the frame, 21-all, but the Highlanders used a 4-2 run to record its ninth straight win of the season with a 25-23 home victory.
Next Up
NJIT will have a quick turnaround and face non-conference opponent Manhattan on Saturday at 12Noon inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. The match will be streamed live on AmericaEast.TV.
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