NEWARK, N.J.-- The UMBC volleyball team opened the NJIT Highlanders Challenge on a positive note Friday night, defeating host NJIT in straight sets, 25-19, 25-23 and 25-19. 

Junior Ashley Oscars (Bakersfield, Calif./Liberty) led the Retrievers (6-3) with a double-double, tallying 11 kills and 17 digs. Freshman Alyssa Lang (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) led the team with 12 kills, while sophomore Bridget Scheetz (St. Louis, Mo./Ursaline Academy) led the team with four assisted blocks. 

The Retrievers stymied the Highlander offense, holding NJIT to a .036 hitting percentage throughout the match. Sophomore Sabrina Hoeks (Olympia, Washington/AG West Black Hills) led the Retrievers with a .429 hitting percentage, earning four kills in only seven attacks. 

UMBC returns to action Saturday as the team faces off against Loyola and Sacred Heart at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively.