BETHLEHEM, PA – The NJIT women's volleyball team battled with Sacred Heart in the final match at the Steel Classic Tournament.

Set Scores
Set 1: NJIT - 28 | Sacred Heart - 26
Set 2: Sacred Heart - 25 | NJIT - 18
Set 3: Sacred Heart - 25 | NJIT – 20
Set 4: Sacred Heart – 25 | NJIT - 14

NJIT dropped a tough one against Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon after the Highlanders won the opening match. The Highlanders came out strong in the opening set, edging Sacred Heart in a thrilling 28-26 victory.

Freshman outside hitter Martina Gonzalo Cortes had an outstanding performance leading the way for the Highlanders with 12.0 points and nine digs. Tied with her for the team lead nine digs was senior outside hitter Mariana Cova who finished the match with 10.5 points.

Despite a promising start, Sacred Heart regrouped and took control of the final three sets credit to multiple strong performances such as one performance by first year outside hitter Ryleigh Short who recorded 17.0 points with 16 kills and 10 digs.

As a team, NJIT posted 39 kills, 15 attack errors, and hit .200 on the match. The Highlanders continued to fight in sets two and three, but Sacred Heart's balanced attack and tight defense proved too much down the stretch. The Pioneers recorded 56 digs to NJIT's 44 and out blocked the Highlanders 4 to 2.

Up Next
NJIT will hit the road down to Philadelphia on Wednesday the 17^th to compete in a non-conference match up with UPenn at 7:00 p.m. before the Highlanders start a four-game home stretch starting with Rhode Island on Friday the 19^th.