NEWARK, NJ — The NJIT women's volleyball team rallied from two sets down but fall in five sets to Iona Saturday night as the NJIT Invitational concludes.
Iona took the opening set, 25-23, in a closely contested frame that featured nine tie scores and five lead changes. NJIT stayed within striking distance throughout the set, but the Gaels held on late to take a 1-0 lead.
The Gaels carried the momentum into the second set, taking a 25-12 victory to move ahead 2-0.
NJIT responded with a strong third set, recording 14 kills while hitting .152. The Highlanders used a balanced offensive attack to take the frame, 25-18, and cut the deficit to 2-1.
The Highlanders continued their comeback in the fourth set, posting 17 kills and hitting .208, their best offensive performance of the match. NJIT pulled away late to earn a 25-20 victory and force a deciding fifth set.
Iona opened the fifth set with a lead and closed out the match with a 15-8 victory.
Junior Aries Fontaine led the Highlanders with 14 kills while hitting .227 and added four digs. Freshman Tereza Motalova recorded 11 kills and two service aces, while sophomore Martina Gonzalo Cortes added 11 kills while hitting .269 in four sets.
Freshman Joaneliz Maisonet contributed 10 kills, one service ace and a team-high 17 digs. Freshman Kayden Campbell added eight kills, while junior Ema Torres recorded four kills in two sets.
At setter, junior Finley McAndrew led NJIT with 29 assists and added one service ace, while junior Cece Marino finished with 21 assists, two service aces and 10 digs. Sophomore Ela Akay paced the Highlanders defensively with 23 digs.
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.
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Keep up with the NJIT women's volleyball team all season long by following on X/Twitter and Instagram (@NJITWVB).
