Men’s Volleyball Sweeps Merrimack to End Non-Conference Slate

Published: Monday, April 6, 2026

NJIT swept visiting Merrimack 3-0 to conclude the non-conference slate on Friday afternoon inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center. NJIT (14-8 overall) won in straight sets 25-16, 26-24 and 25-19 for the Highlanders 10th win of the season at home, remaining perfect in Newark.

Sophomore Wiktor Nowak led NJIT with 15 kills and contributed defensively with three total blocks. Setter Bruno Figueiredo recorded a team-high 28 assists while also adding a service ace and three block assists. Freshman Andre Aleixo combined for three service aces and four block assists. Parker Moorhead added six kills and eight digs over three sets.

Both teams traded points in the opening set as the Highlanders built a six-point lead, 15-9, behind a 5-1 run. NJIT closed out the frame on a 6-2 spurt to go ahead, 1-0, with a 25-15 win.

The second set began with a back-and-forth exchange of points, as NJIT managed to pull ahead 12-8. Merrimack rallied to tie the score at 19-19, but NJIT responded with a service ace from Harrison Girard. In the closing moments, NJIT capitalized on a kill by Nowak and a service ace from Aleixo to reach set point. Although Merrimack briefly evened the score at 24-24, NJIT sealed the set with a decisive kill from Nowak and an attack error by Merrimack, concluding the set 26-24 and going up 2-0.

After trailing early, the Highlanders tied the score at 8-8. A critical run saw NJIT pull ahead with six consecutive points, driven by a service ace from Aleixo and multiple attack errors from Merrimack. Maintaining their lead, the Highlanders continued to press forward from Nowak and Aleixo, extending their advantage to 23-17. Merrimack slimmed the Highlanders lead to five, 24-19 but NJIT closed out the set with a kill from Aleixo, securing a 25-19 victory.

Next Up
NJIT will return to action this weekend when the Highlanders host EIVA Conference opponent Charleston (WV) on Friday (6 p.m.) and Saturday (3 p.m.) inside the Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center.