FAIRFIELD, CT — The Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team defeated the NJIT Highlanders 3-0 (27-25, 25-15, 25-21) on Friday night at the William H. Pitt Center to open the Hampton Inn by Hilton Shelton invitational. With the win the Pioneers improved to 5-4.

First Set: Sacred Heart (27-25)

• The two teams went back-and-forth, with SHU trailing at one point 13-12.

• NJIT then went on a 6-1 run to take a 19-13 lead.

• The Pioneers responded with a 9-3 run, capped by an NJIT attack error, to give SHU a 22-21 lead.

• With the set tied at 25-25, Liisel Nelis recorded a kill followed by a Lauren Middlemass service ace to secure the 27-25 set win.

Second Set: Sacred Heart (25-15)

• Sacred Heart jumped out to an early 5-2 lead behind a trio of kills from Liisel Nelis, Rianna McNamee, and Sarah Ciszek.

• After the teams split the next couple of points, the Pioneers scored five of the next six to take a 13-7 lead.

• After a timeout, NJIT cut into the lead, however another SHU run started propelled the lead to 19-11.

• SHU would end the set by scoring six of the last seven points, leading to a 25-15 win.

Third Set: Sacred Heart (25-21)

• The teams traded the first couple of points, before SHU jumped out to a 7-4 lead.

• NJIT would battle back, and eventually jump out in front to a 12-11 lead.

• After tying it up at 14, SHU went on a little run of their own to take an 18-14 lead.

• After a timeout, NJIT cut the lead to 21-19, but SHU was able to end the match on a 5-2 run hold on for a 25-21 win.

The Pioneers return to action tomorrow for day two of the Hampton Inn by Hilton Shelton Invitational as they host Binghamton University at 10:30 am and the University of Rhode Island Rams at 6:30 pm.