NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The NJIT women's volleyball team battled Iona on Friday afternoon at the Hynes Athletics Center, but the Highlanders ultimately fell to the Gaels, 3-1.
NJIT opened the match with a strong performance in the first set, taking advantage of a balanced offensive attack to secure a 25-21 victory. The Highlanders hit .325 in the opening frame, recording 17 kills on 40 attacks while limiting Iona to a .200 hitting percentage.
Iona responded in the second set, edging NJIT, 25-22, to even the match at one set apiece. The Highlanders continued to compete point-for-point, recording 13 kills in the frame while keeping the Gaels within reach throughout the set.
The Gaels gained momentum in the third set, posting an 18-kill performance on the way to a 25-19 victory. NJIT recorded 10 kills in the frame, but Iona's .293 hitting percentage helped the hosts take a 2-1 advantage.
Iona closed out the match in the fourth set, 25-21. The Highlanders stayed within striking distance throughout the final frame, but the Gaels' .317 hitting percentage proved to be the difference as Iona secured the four-set victory.
Junior Ema Torres led the Highlanders offensively with a team-high 16 kills while hitting .375. Senior Sara Siefert added 10 kills, two service aces and 15 digs, while sophomore Martina Gonzalo Cortes recorded 11 kills.
Sophomore Giselle Parker delivered an efficient offensive performance, posting seven kills on 11 attacks without committing an error for a .636 hitting percentage. Freshman Tereza Motalova also made an impact at the net with six kills, a team-high five block assists and one solo block.
Junior Cece Marino led the team with 26 assists and junior Finley McAndrew added 22 assists. Sophomore Ela Akay contributed 13 digs, and Siefert finished with a team-best 15 digs.
Up Next
NJIT plays two on Saturday, the 12th when the Highlanders take on Central Connecticut State and St. John's with first serve scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to close out the Iona Invitational.
Follow the Highlanders
Keep up with the NJIT women's volleyball team all season long by following on X/Twitter and Instagram (@NJITWVB).
