Volleyball vanquished by NJIT in three-set match

The Columbia women’s volleyball team (4-4) fell to NJIT (9-2) on Tuesday night, 3-0. The Highlanders took the three-set match easily, defeating the Lions 25-18, 25-18, and 25-20.

NJIT came out strong at the start of game one. Up 3-2, the Highlanders went on a five point run and never looked back. NJIT’s Renata Pandolfo, who posted a double-double in the win with a match-best 12 kills and 12 digs, had six kills in the game.

In game two it was the Light Blue that took the lead, 5-1. But NJIT recovered quickly and, with the score at 9-7, held on to the lead for good.
The third set was the closest contest of the night. Down 14-9, it seemed that the Lions would lose the match, but they rallied and tied it up at 17. Columbia couldn’t maintain the momentum, however, when an attack error and an ace by NJIT junior Baaba Hughes sparked a match-clinching 8-3 Highlander run.

Pandolfo and Erica Schultz, who also posted a double-double in the match with 34 assists and 11 digs, led the Highlanders to victory.
Sophomore Monique Roberts led the Light Blue with a team-best 11 kills and a match-high four blocks, while senior Ellie Thomas posted an impressive 27 digs.

Despite the defeat, Columbia did have a 6-2 team advantage over NJIT in team blocks. Columbia freshman Megan Gaughn, who for the first time in Columbia volleyball program history was named both Ivy League Player and Rookie of the Week for the same week on Tuesday, had two block assists for the Lions in addition to 13 digs and eight kills.

The Lions return to their home court on Friday to kick off the Columbia Classic.