By Holly Junice
On Friday October 31, NJIT Women’s Volleyball team lost at home to the Hampton Pirates, 3 sets to 0. Our Highlanders came up just a bit too short each match losing 25-22, 25-19, and 25-23. This win moved Hampton up to a season overall of 15-9 while NJIT dropped to 8-20. Our Highlanders did, however, have a higher hitting percentage against the Lady Pirates, .232 to .230.
6’0 junior, Danica Vukotic, led the team stats with 9 kills and 2 blocks, while her twin sister Nina Vukotic recorded 8 kills and 2 aces upon serving. Senior Fran Edmondson also recorded 8 kills and 1 block. And 6’1 senior Valerie Carrol ended these top four with a record of 5 kills, 7 blocks, and 1 ace.
During the first match set, there were fourteen recorded ties and six lead changes. Tied at 22, the Lady Pirates scored the three remaining points for the 25-22 victory. They were led by senior Vendula Strakova who ended the game with twenty kills and zero errors.
NJIT kept the second set’s score close, even taking the lead hallway though. But after a seven point straight streak, Highlanders called a timeout to regroup, coming back with a 3 point run. However, our Highlanders couldn’t manage to break twenty points as they lost 25-19.
In the third and final set, a tight matchup kept the crowd at the very edge of their seat as neither team took any significant lead. For nearly half the set, it was anyone’s game. Highlanders blocked furiously as Pirates put down one kill after another. In the end Hampton scored the final game-winning point, victoriously leaving the set at 25-23 and the overall match at 3-0.
This is far from the end for the NJIT Highlanders, as their season will continue on November 5 against Farleigh Dickinson at 7pm in the Fleisher Athletic Center. Be sure to save the date so you can come out and cheer on your fellow Highlanders! Support from family, friends, and fans is always greatly appreciated! So remember, remember the 5th of November, NJIT vs. FDU! Go Highlanders!
