UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, PA–No. 17 Penn State defeated visiting NJIT, 3-0, in EIVA Conference men's volleyball action Saturday evening inside Rec Hall concluding the road slate for the Highlanders this season.
The Nittany Lions swept the weekend regular season series from the Highlanders, improving to 14-7 overall and remaining undefeated in conference play with a 6-0 mark. NJIT moves to 13-8 on the year, 5-3 in the EIVA.
Two Highlanders—Andre Aleixo and Wiktor Nowak—paced the offense with eight kills apiece, while Alex Heins added seven kills on 10 swings with just one error for an efficient .600 hitting percentage. Middle blocker Daniel Latkowski contributed five kills.
Setter Bruno Figueiredo dished out 31 assists, and Heins led the team at the net with four total blocks (all assists). Libero Diego Lopez anchored the back row with six digs.
Both teams traded points throughout a tightly contested opening set, with neither side leading by more than two. NJIT used a brief 3-1 run to take a 13-12 edge, and the frame featured seven ties, the last coming at 19-19. Penn State then scored three consecutive points to go up 21-19, prompting an NJIT timeout. Out of the break, the Highlanders responded with back-to-back points to even the score at 21-21. Penn State answered with consecutive points for a 23-21 advantage, but NJIT capitalized on a pair of Nittany Lion errors to tie the set once again at 23-23, forcing a Penn State timeout. The Nittany Lions closed the set on a 3-1 run to secure a 26-24 win and take a 1-0 match lead. NJIT posted an impressive .400 hitting percentage in the opening frame.
Penn State seized control early in the second set, opening on a 7-3 run to force an NJIT timeout. The Highlanders trimmed the deficit to 10-5, but the Nittany Lions responded with a 6-2 surge to extend their lead to 16-7. NJIT showed signs of life midway through the frame, using a 4-2 stretch to cut the margin to 18-11, highlighted by an ace from Wiktor Nowak. However, Penn State quickly regained momentum, scoring seven of the final eight points to close out a 25-12 victory and take a commanding 2-0 match lead.
Penn State carried its momentum into the third set, opening with three straight points. NJIT answered with a 3-0 run of its own to even the score at 3-3, then used a 5-1 spurt to take a 5-4 lead. The Nittany Lions regained the edge at 9-7, but the Highlanders stayed within striking distance, trimming the deficit to 11-10. Penn State then created separation, scoring five of the next six points to build a 16-11 advantage. NJIT cut the margin to 17-13, but Penn State responded with three consecutive points to extend its lead to 20-13, prompting a Highlanders timeout. NJIT came out of the break with back-to-back points to make it 20-15, only to see the Nittany Lions answer with another 3-0 run for a 23-15 lead and a second NJIT timeout. A late 3-1 push brought NJIT within 24-18, but Penn State closed out the set, 25-18, to complete the 3-0 sweep of the weekend series.
Next Up
NJIT, which will play the next five at home, will host Merrimack on Good Friday, April 3 at 4pm inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
Stay Connected
Follow the Highlanders on X and Instagram (@NJITMVB) and like NJIT Men's Volleyball on Facebook for updates throughout the season.
