NEWARK, NJ--NJIT men's volleyball will look to stay hot this week as the Highlanders host Saint Francis U on Thursday and Friday in EIVA Volleyball action inside NJIT's Wellness and Events Center.
No Spectators at NJIT Athletic Events
As for fans this season, due to COVID protocol policy, the NJIT Department of Athletics is prohibiting spectators at our Indoor & Outdoor Athletic Events. The policy will be re-evaluated in March.
Game Information
Games times are slated for 7pm on Thursday, February 25 and Friday, February 26. The match will be streamed live on www.NJITHighlanders.com with in-game statistics available on www.NJITHighlanders.com.
Highlanders Move Up a Spot in NVA/AVCA Top-15 Ranking
The NJIT men's volleyball team moved up one spot to No. 14 in the recent National Volleyball Association (NVA)/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I-II Men's Coaches top-15 poll the organization announced on Monday.
This past weekend, NJIT swept a two-match EIVA Conference series at Charleston (WV).
The Highlanders cracked into the top-15 poll in week four, after a weekend split at then-ranked No. 11 Penn State on February 14, marking the first time in program history. The win for the Highlanders marked the first time since 1998 NJIT defeated Penn State.
NJIT opened the 2021 season against Loyola-Chicago and took then-ranked No. 4 Lewis to five sets as the Flyers prevailed, 3-2.
In the opening weekend of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) competition, NJIT swept a series from Sacred Heart on February 4-5.
Preseason EIVA Coaches Poll
NJIT has been selected second in the 2021 Preseason Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Coaches' Poll.
The Highlanders stood at 9-5 overall, 4-3 in the EIVA, when play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. NJIT returns all seven starters led by Gimeno, who shared Co-Player of the Year honors in the EIVA.
Penn State is the favorite to return to the top of the EIVA this season and were a near-unanimous selection, earning five of the six votes from the coaches.
NJIT picked up the other first-place vote while George Mason captured third.
Team Statistical Leaders
Alvaro Gimeno | 3.79kps, .405 H%
Julian Meissner | 3.38kps, .307 H%
Griffin Fieseler | 9.65aps
Gimeno leads the EIVA in kills per set (3.79) followed Meissner (3.38). Gimeno also ranks second in total kills (106) and hitting percentage (.405).
Libero Joe Kennedy ranks in the top four in digs per set (1.72) and total digs (50) while Fieseler sits in third averaging 9.65 assists.
Scouting the Red Flash
Saint Francis U enters this week's matches with a 1-12 overall mark, 0-6 in the EIVA. The Red Flash have dropped its last 10 matches, most recently at No. 13 George Mason.
The Red Flash were selected to finish fourth in the preseason EIVA Coaches poll.
Michael Fisher (85) and Joshua Blair (80) rank fourth and fifth respectively in total kills.
Next Up
The two teams will conclude its two-match EIVA weekend series on Friday at 7pm.
