Friday, April 17
Newark, NJ
6:00 PM
Sacred Heart
10-14,3-8EIVA
0
at
3
New Jersey Institute of Technology
17-8,8-3EIVA
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Heart | 21 | 15 | 19 | 0 |
| NJIT | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Photo by: Shae Carroll
Pioneers Drop Opener to #20 NJIT
4/17/2026 7:42:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
NEWARK, N.J. — The Sacred Heart Men's Volleyball team struggled to find sustained rhythm Friday night, falling in straight sets to NJIT, 3-0 in EIVA play at the Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness & Events Center.
The Pioneers showed early fight in the opening set, keeping pace with NJIT through multiple ties and brief lead changes. Kills from Jaron Popp and Aaron Johnson helped SHU stay within striking distance, but a late Highlanders push created separation as NJIT closed the set on top, 25-21.
Set two proved more difficult for Sacred Heart, as NJIT's offense hit its stride. The Highlanders posted a .500 hitting percentage in the frame, overwhelming the Pioneers and forcing errors. Despite a handful of kills from Aleksa Mandic and Jack Chow, SHU couldn't slow the momentum and dropped the set, 25-15.
In the third, Sacred Heart showed renewed energy. The Pioneers battled through long rallies and stayed within reach midway through the set, anchored by efficient swings from Popp, who led the team with seven kills on a .429 clip, and Johnson, who hit an impressive .625. Still, NJIT maintained control down the stretch, using a balanced attack to seal the sweep with a 25-19 win.
As a team, Sacred Heart finished with 30 kills and hit .120, while NJIT countered with 39 kills at a .345 mark. Service pressure also played a role, as the Pioneers committed 13 service errors.
Defensively, Harryzen Soares led SHU with eight digs, while Carter Lyons added nine. At the net, Popp contributed four total blocks to pace the front line.
Sacred Heart drops to 10-14 overall and 3-8 in EIVA play, and will look to bounce back tomorrow at 3pm in the series and regular season finale at NJIT.
The Pioneers showed early fight in the opening set, keeping pace with NJIT through multiple ties and brief lead changes. Kills from Jaron Popp and Aaron Johnson helped SHU stay within striking distance, but a late Highlanders push created separation as NJIT closed the set on top, 25-21.
Set two proved more difficult for Sacred Heart, as NJIT's offense hit its stride. The Highlanders posted a .500 hitting percentage in the frame, overwhelming the Pioneers and forcing errors. Despite a handful of kills from Aleksa Mandic and Jack Chow, SHU couldn't slow the momentum and dropped the set, 25-15.
In the third, Sacred Heart showed renewed energy. The Pioneers battled through long rallies and stayed within reach midway through the set, anchored by efficient swings from Popp, who led the team with seven kills on a .429 clip, and Johnson, who hit an impressive .625. Still, NJIT maintained control down the stretch, using a balanced attack to seal the sweep with a 25-19 win.
As a team, Sacred Heart finished with 30 kills and hit .120, while NJIT countered with 39 kills at a .345 mark. Service pressure also played a role, as the Pioneers committed 13 service errors.
Defensively, Harryzen Soares led SHU with eight digs, while Carter Lyons added nine. At the net, Popp contributed four total blocks to pace the front line.
Sacred Heart drops to 10-14 overall and 3-8 in EIVA play, and will look to bounce back tomorrow at 3pm in the series and regular season finale at NJIT.
Team Stats
SHU
NJIT
Kills
30
39
Errors
19
10
Attempts
92
84
Hitting %
.120
.345
Points
38.0
50.0
Assists
28
34
Aces
2
4
Blocks
6
7
Game Leaders
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Kills
7
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
3
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Men's Volleyball
OPP
/ Men's Volleyball
OH
/ Men's Volleyball
OH
/ Men's Volleyball
L
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