NJIT Sweeps No. 12 USC at 2020 AVCA Showcase

NJIT hit an impressive .442 paced by junior outside hitter Alvaro Gimeno, who registered a match-best 11 kills as the Highlanders swept No. 12 USC, 3-0, Saturday evening in the 2020 AVCA Showcase hosted by Geroge Mason in the RAC.

NJIT (1-1) won in straight sets 25-20, 25-20 and 25-17.  In the first two sets, as a team, the Highlanders hit over .500 and combined for a .200 hitting percentage to seal the match in the third stanza.

The last time NJIT defeated a ranked team dates back to 2017, when the Highlanders defeated No. 15 George Mason, 3-1, on February 17.

"This was a great win for a very young hard working team," head coach Danny Goncalves commented post game.  "We had to earn ever point and the team played a great match."

In addition to Gimeno's 11 kills, sophomore Jens Feldthus combined for 10 kills and freshman Julian Meissner with six.  Gimeno combined for a .529 hitting percentage on 17 attempts and just two errors while Feldthus finished with a .438 hitting percentage on 16 swings and three errors.

NJIT held a 17-to-3 team blocking advantage paced by senior middle Luca Berger, who recorded 11 total blocks (two solo, nine assists) and Meissner with seven block assists.

Sophomore setter Roque Nido posted a match-high 30 assists while Feldthus led the Highlanders with four digs.

The Highlanders led the serve ace category, 5-to-3 paced by Gimeno's three aces.

USC (1-2) was led by Billy Fauntleroy's eight kills and Lucas Frassrand's six kills on eight attempts for a .625 hitting percentage.  Setter Chris Hall notched 20 assists for the Trojans.

NJIT will return to action this weekend when the Highlanders visit McKendree Jan. 17 and Lindenwood Jan. 18.

#AVCAShowcase All Tournament Team
- Alvaro Gimeno, RS - NJIT
- Sam Greenslade, OH - George Mason
- Eric Beatty, OH - Stanford
- Stephen Moye, MB - Stanford
- Paul Bischoff, S - Stanford
- Jaylen Jasper, RS - Stanford