NEWARK, NJ–The NJIT men's volleyball swept the weekend series from visiting Charleston (WV) 3-1 Saturday afternoon in EIVA Conference men's volleyball action inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.
With the win, NJIT moves to 16-8 overall on the season, 7-3 in the EIVA. The Highlanders are one of three Division I teams undefeated at home (12-0) joining UCLA (9-0) and Maryland Eastern Shore (8-0).
NJIT, which hit .286 for the match, dropped the first set 25-17 but bounced back in the next three sets to secure the 3-1 home victory, 31-29, 25-15 and 25-22.
Wiktor Nowak and Andre Aleixo paced the Highlanders offensively with 17 kills apiece, while Parker Moorehead chipped in nine. Nowak finished with a .306 hitting percentage, and Aleixo added strong support on the outside.
Middle blocker Daniel Latkowski contributed six kills on 12 swings with just one error, while Alex Heins recorded four kills on nine attempts for a .333 hitting percentage.
Setter Bruno Figueiredo totaled 49 assists and five digs, along with three blocks (one solo, two assists). Latkowski led at the net with eight total blocks (two solo, six assists), Heins added six (one solo, five assists), and Nowak contributed five block assists.
Both teams traded points early in the first set, but midway through the frame Charleston pulled away with a 6-2 run to take a 16-12 lead. The Golden Eagles kept the pressure on with another 6-2 surge, then closed the set on a four-point run to secure a 25–17 victory.
Charleston opened the second set with three straight points and later used a brief 3-1 spurt to build an 8-3 advantage. NJIT answered with a surge of its own, scoring six of the next seven points to tie the set at 9-9, then added three in a row for a 12-11 lead, prompting a Charleston timeout. The Golden Eagles responded with a 6-2 run to move ahead 18-14, but NJIT countered with four consecutive points to even the score at 18–18. Charleston edged in front again, 24-22, before the Highlanders rallied with back-to-back points to knot the set at 24-24. After five additional ties, NJIT closed out the set with the final two points—capped by block assists from Alex Heins and Andre Aleixo—to claim a 31-29 win and even the match at 1-1.
NJIT used a late 4-1 run in the third set, including three consecutive points, to take a 10-7 lead and force a Golden Eagles timeout. The Highlanders extended their advantage to 20-12 with a 6-2 surge, then closed the set on a four-point run to secure a 25-15 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.
Neither team led by more than one point early in the fourth set until the Highlanders scored back-to-back points in the late stages to take an 18-16 advantage. The Golden Eagles evened the score at 19-19, but NJIT answered with two straight points to regain a 21-19 lead, prompting a timeout by the visitors. A 4-1 run pushed the Highlanders ahead 23-20, and NJIT closed out the set with the final two points to secure a 25-22 win and a 3-1 victory at home.
Next Up
NJIT will return to action next weekend and wrap up the home slate against Sacred Heart. First spike on Friday is set for 6pm and Saturday at 3pm. On Saturday, NJIT will honor its two graduating seniors Mateusz Bobkowski and Andrew Fedmasu.
Stay Connected
Follow the Highlanders on X and Instagram (@NJITMVB) and like NJIT Men's Volleyball on Facebook for updates throughout the season.
