NEWARK, N.J. --- The NJIT women's tennis team returned to the win column with a 4-3 victory over local rival Seton Hall Friday evening at the Naimoli Family Athletic and Recreation Facility. 

The Highlanders (7-1) and Pirates (4-3) went down to the final match of the night to decide the winner. NJIT cruised to a 1-0 match lead after sweeping all three doubles flights and picked up a second point after freshman Joleta Budiman won her top flight match in straight sets.

Seton Hall cut NJIT's lead in half with a three-set victory at No. 2 but sophomore Advaita Saravanan battled through three sets of her own at No. 3 singles to put the Highlanders one win away from claiming the match.

However, the Pirates showed their mettle by taking the fourth and fifth singles match to force a 3-3 tie going into the No. 6 flight.

With the fate of the team on her shoulders, freshman Adara Omar answered with an exceptional straight set (6-4, 6-1) triumph.

"I am so happy for today's win," head coach Zaki Abdelrahman said after the win. "The girls came out with a lot of energy and fighting spirit and that started with a fantastic performance in doubles. I was also glad to see Advaita healthy and back on the line up. Her presence is big for us." 

NJIT - who ended its six-game homestand with a 5-1 record - will hit the road on Sunday, February 24 to take on Army West Point for the first of two straight matches away from Newark. First serve against the Black Knights is scheduled for 4 p.m.

NJIT 4, Seton Hall 3

Singles competition
1. Joleta Budiman (NJIT) def. Anicka Fajnorova (SH) 6-4, 6-4
2. Regina Piitts (SH) def. Mouna Bouzgarrou (NJIT) 0-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. Advaita Saravanan (NJIT) def. Melody Taal (SH) 6-4, 6-7, 6-2
4. Minja Gligic (SH) def. Mayar Eltony (NJIT) 6-2, 7-6
5. Mekeila Erspamer (SH) def. Holly Matson (NJIT) 6-1, 6-2
6. Adara Omar (NJIT) def. Anniek Jansen (SH) 6-4, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Holly Matson/Joleta Budiman (NJIT) def. Anicka Fajnorova/Regina Piitts (SH) 6-1
2. Rafaella Sampaio/Mouna Bouzgarrou (NJIT) def. Thandy Kangwa/Minja Gligic (SH) 6-3
3. Amanda Helminsky/Advaita Saravanan (NJIT) def. Melody Taal/Michal Matson (SH) 6-3

Match Notes
Seton Hall 4-3
NJIT 7-1
Order of finish: Doubles (1,2,3); Singles (1,2,3,4,5,6)