SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 14, 2006 – Springfield College freshman All-American Ryan Fredrickson (Manahawkin, N.J.) tallied a team-high 11 kills to go along with four digs and two service aces, but it was the Highlanders of the New Jersey Institute of Technology which defeated the No. 6 Pride, 3-0, in Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA)-Hay Division play this evening at Blake Arena.

With the loss in its regular-season finale, SC falls to 10-15 overall and 8-4 in the EIVA-Hay. NJIT improves to 12-12 overall and 7-4 in the conference as the Highlanders swept the Pride by game scores of 30-25, 30-15, and 30-20.

NJIT was led by sophomore outside hitter Eduardo Welter with a match-high 12 kills on 17 swings and just two errors for a .588 hitting percentage. Sophomore opposite Leonardo Paludo added eight kills on 14 swings with just one error for a .500 hitting percentage after going down with an ankle injury in game one. Paludo also recorded a match-best five digs.

The Highlanders also received solid contributions from Brian Como and Amobi Armstrong, as the two combined for 14 kills. Sophomore outside hitter Greg Wagner chipped in with an impressive 10 blocks on the night.

published: 04/14/2006