NEWARK, NJ — The NJIT women's volleyball team battled New Haven through four sets Friday afternoon inside the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness & Events Center, but the Highlanders fell to the Chargers, 3-1.
New Haven took the opening set, 25-19, despite NJIT recording 11 kills in the frame. The Chargers used a .233 hitting percentage to take an early 1-0 lead.
The Highlanders continued to battle in the second set, which featured five tie scores and two lead changes. NJIT recorded nine kills, but New Haven held on late to take the set, 25-23, and take a 2-0 lead.
NJIT responded in the third set with its strongest offensive performance of the match. The Highlanders recorded 12 kills while hitting .276 and took the frame, 25-19, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Highlanders continued to battle in the fourth set, but New Haven closed out the match with a 25-19 victory.
Junior Ema Torres led NJIT with 11 kills while hitting .250 and added one block assist. Sophomore Martina Gonzalo Cortes and freshman Leah Devaraj each recorded 10 kills, while Devaraj added two service aces, four block assists and eight digs.
Freshman Tereza Motalova contributed five kills while hitting .250 and recorded a team-high five block assists. Freshman Joaneliz Maisonet added five kills, one service ace, three block assists and 12 digs.
At setter, junior Cece Marino and junior Finley McAndrew each recorded 19 assists. Sophomore Ela Akay led the Highlanders defensively with 20 digs, while Maisonet added 12.
Up Next
The Highlanders host New Haven on Friday, the 18th for game two of the NJIT Invitational with first serve scheduled for 12:00 p.m.
Follow the Highlanders
Keep up with the NJIT women's volleyball team all season long by following on X/Twitter and Instagram (@NJITWVB).
