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 Leonardo Paludo led the Highlanders with 18 kills |
March 31, 2007
NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology gained sole possession of first place in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Hay Division with a rousing 3-1 win over visiting Springfield Saturday night in the Estelle and Zoom Fleisher Athletic Center.
Saturday's win avenged the only Hay Division loss of the year for NJIT and raised the Highlanders' record to 8-1 in the Hay Division and 16-6 overall. Springfield, which defeated NJIT, 3-0, on February 16, and had owned at least a share of first place ever since, completes its Hay Division schedule at 8-2, while dropping to 17-8 overall.
The first and fourth games, both won by the Highlanders, were close. NJIT blew out the visitors in the second game, 30-12, but the visiting Pride lived up to its nickname, bouncing back to claim game three, 30-24. The scores for NJIT were: 30-25, 30-12, 24-30 and 31-29.
The Highlanders must win at New Haven on April 9 to secure a first-place finish and the promotion to the higher power-rated EIVA Tait Division for 2008 that goes to the 2007 EIVA Hay champion. Both NJIT and Springfield will continue into postseason, having clinched the two Hay Division berths in the six-team EIVA playoffs.
Four Highlanders finished with double figures in kills, led by Leonardo Paludo's 18. Amobi Armstrong had 13 kills, Eduardo Welter finished with 12 and Greg Wagner notched 11 kills. Rodrigo Correa had 55 assists and the NJIT setter also had two well-timed kills and three block assists.
On defense, Welter had 16 digs and Paludo had 11, while Brian Gadaleta, a senior playing his last home match, led NJIT with seven total blocks (1 solo, 6 assists). Wagner had five blocks, including two block solos.
For Springfield, Ryan Frederickson finished with 12 kills, followed by AJ Nally, at 10. Setter Eric Shoemaker had 33 assists and a team-best 13 digs. Nally had 12 digs and libero Brandon Waas had 10.
Springfield was strong blocking, especially early in the match, with Dave Smietana's seven total blocks, all assisted, leading the Pride at the net. Frederickson had five total blocks.
The conclusive fourth game including some big momentum swings early, followed by a tense finish.
NJIT, leading 2-1 in games, jumped to a quick 7-3 lead in game four, but Springfield answered with an 8-1 rally to claim an 11-8 lead.
The Pride eventually went up five, 17-12, before NJIT fought back and tied the score, 20-20. The score was tied eight more times, the latest at 29-29, before Welter led the clinching two points with a kill at 30 and then a service ace at 31-29.
The Highlanders have 16 wins, matching their total in 2000, when NJIT finished 16-12, will now aim for its highest season total since the 1999 Highlanders finished 24-5 and advanced to the EIVA playoff finals.
Next up on the 2007 schedule is a visit to nearby Hoboken, NJ, for a non-conference match at Stevens on Wednesday, April 4, at 7 pm.
