Newark, N.J. -- Paced by a nearly flawless performance from Mia Bilusic (Zagreb, Croatia), and a career-high nine kills from Weronika Wrzesinska (Frednowy, Poland) the UMBC Volleyball team swept host NJIT (25-23, 26-24, 25-15) on Friday night.

Bilusic had 18 kills on .436 hitting with only one error and added 11 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Bird Alford (Talahassee, Fla.) made her first career start and picked up 32 assists, six digs and two kills.

How it Happened:

• The first set was back-and-forth until a big run had NJIT (6-16, 0-4 AE) up 23-15. UMBC (10-5, 3-0 AE) would then go on a massive 10-0 set-ending run to win it. Emily Ferketic (Pittsburgh, Pa.) capped the impressive run with her first kill of the match. The senior finished with four kills on six attacks (.667 hitting), four blocks, two aces and a season-best eight digs.
• The Highlanders jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, but UMBC would eventually close the gap to 20-19. NJIT would get a point, but  the Retrievers would score the next four to go up 23-21. The hosts tied the set up at 23, and would then fight off a set point to level things at 24. A kill from Wrzesinska and an ace from Ferketic would give UMBC the set, however.
• The Retrievers jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead and never trailed as they ran away with the final set as they hit .350 with 16 kills and only two errors en route to a 25-15 set win

Mila Ilieva (Vidin, Bulgaria) had five kills, five blocks and three aces in the match, while Aysia Miller (Mililani, Hawaii) anchored the defense with 12 digs and four assists.

UMBC returns home on Sunday to host UAlbany at The Peake for a 1 p.m. first serve. The program will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of both the program and the passage of Title IX. There will be an alumni social prior to the match, and an alumni game after.