Branch, Goetz-Morales Lead NJIT to Straight Set Win vs. UAlbany

Seniors Courtney Branch and Adriana Goetz-Morales combined for 20 kills on Sunday as the NJIT women's volleyball team rolled to a three-set America East Conference victory at the Wellness and Events Center.

NJIT won the opening set 25-17 before taking the second frame 25-21 to go ahead 2-0. The Highlanders clinched their first America East victory of the season and eighth overall with a convincing 25-18 third-set win.

Branch, who came into the match leading the America East in hitting percentage, sent down 11 kills and hit .529, while her classmate Goetz-Morales recorded nine kills of her own. The duo was set up all afternoon long by a third senior, Juliana Impaglia, who finished the match with 29 assists while helping the Highlanders offense hit an impressive .215.

A native of Willow Springs, Ill., Branch also contributed to the NJIT defense as one of three Highlanders with six blocks in the win. Both Ines Varela and Elley Torres also finished the match with six blocks as NJIT out-blocked the Great Danes 13-6.

Branch is now hitting an impressive .397 this season which leads the America East by more than 60 percentage points and ranks among the top 25 in all of NCAA Division I.

The Highlanders will look to make it two straight wins on Friday when they travel to Binghamton for a 7 p.m. match against the Bearcats.