Trevino, NJIT Women's Volleyball Earn First Victory of 2019

The NJIT women's volleyball team won its first match of the 2019 season on Saturday, coming from behind to defeat host Fairleigh Dickinson in five sets (21-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-21, 16-14). The match was the Highlanders' second of the day at the FDU Knights Fall Classic as they fell to Morgan State earlier in straight sets (25-17. 25-21, 25-23).

The victory over FDU did not come easy as NJIT trailed by a set on two different occasions and fell behind 13-10 in the final set before scoring three in a row to tie the frame at 13. FDU scored the next point to go ahead 14-13, but the Highlanders rattled off three straight again to take the set 16-14 and the match 3-2.

"We made it a little harder than it could've been, but I'm so proud right now," said first-year Head Coach Pedro Trevino. "When we were down 13-10 we called time out and we all agreed we were still in it. The girls worked hard to get back in it and ultimately win it, it feels very good."

Freshmen Sarah Merritt and Adriana Goetz-Morales each had the best performances of their young careers in the win, tallying career-highs in kills with 17 and 11, respectively. Senior Madi Busler also notched double-digit kills with a season-best 12 to go along with 10 digs for her second double-double of the season. Merritt added 12 digs to also record a double-double.

Liz Benson was the third Highlander to earn a double-double, her second of the day and third of the season as she dished out a season-high 47 assists to go along with 10 digs, while also adding a career-high-tying six blocks. 

In the first match of the day, the Highlanders could never really get going as they fell to Morgan State (6-1) in straight sets.

Benson's first double-double of the day came on 19 assists and 18 digs to go along with three service aces. 

Goetz-Morales led the Highlanders offensively against the Bears, tallying seven kills, while four other NJIT players finished with at least four. 

"Adriana had a great day for us," added Trevino. "Liz had a good connection with her and she reads very well while blocking too."

The Highlanders will return to the court Tuesday, Sept. 10, when they travel to Bethlehem, PA, to take on Lehigh University. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. 

"Again, I'm very proud of our team, especially the seniors," concluded Trevino. "Liz, Madi and Olivia (Welsch) all played huge roles in the win."