FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Despite pushing the match to a fourth set, the Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team came up short at home on Saturday evening, falling to NJIT 3-1 in Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) play.
Records:
SHU: 6-16 (0-11 EIVA)
NJIT: 11-12 (5-4 EIVA)
Top Performers:
Petr Beranek – 10 kills (.118), 1 service ace, 5 digs
Cade Trujillo – 1 kill (.000), 25 assists, 1 service ace, 2 digs
Connor Monroe – 7 kills (.417), 1 service ace, 5 blocks (1 solo, 4 assists), 1 dig
How it Happened:
In the opening set, the Highlanders jumped out to a commanding 7-2 lead by the first media timeout, then extended their advantage to double digits at 15-5. From there, NJIT closed out the frame with a 10-7 run, securing an early 1-0 lead over the Pioneers.
After battling through 15 ties in a tightly contested second set, NJIT broke the deadlock with a 4-1 scoring run, forcing SHU to call a timeout in an effort to halt the momentum. The Highlanders maintained a four-point lead out of the short break until a short spurt brought the hosts to within two, 22-20. However, NJIT sealed the second set victory with a kill by Alessandro Negri to go up 2-0 in the match.
It was another tightly contested set between NJIT and SHU, with both teams trading points through 13 ties. With the score knotted at 19-19, a Highlanders' service error followed by a
Dylan McClung service ace gave the hosts a 21-19 lead, prompting NJIT to call a timeout. Despite the visitors' persistent efforts, the Pioneers maintained their composure and offensive prowess. They won the third set by two, 25-23, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure and forcing a fourth set.
The deciding set saw the Pioneers open the frame with the early lead, 4-3, but momentum shifted in favor of the Highlanders as they saw their lead grow to nine, 16-7, before a kill from
Carter Lyons capped the visitors' run. Lyon's kill also ignited a spark for the Pioneers' offense as the hosts rallied to within four, 22-18, following a kill from
Jaron Popp. The Highlanders, however, used a 3-1 run to close out the set and solidify the 3-1 match victory.
Up Next:
The Pioneers return to the Pitt Center tomorrow, April 12, as they close out the 2024-25 regular season against NJIT.
