Rutgers to Compete at Harvard Invitational
Sep 07 | Women's Volleyball
PISCATAWAY, NJ - The Rutgers volleyball team (3-4) will play in its third consecutive road tournament this weekend, competing at the Harvard Invitational in Cambridge, MA.
The Scarlet Knights will face Long Island (3-4) Friday, Sept. 8, at 4:00 p.m. to begin competition. On Saturday, Sept. 9, RU will take on the host Crimson (0-0) at 1:00 p.m., followed by a 4:00 p.m. match against Binghamton (1-6).
Rutgers is 3-4 this season after competing at the Temple Classic Sept. 1-2. RU earned a 3-2 victory against Maine in the opening match before falling to Temple 0-3 and Kansas 1-3. Senior Lora Yankauskas (Paramus, N.J.), a selection to the 2006 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, was named to the Temple Classic All-Tournament Team. She is averaging 3.67 kills and 3.04 digs per game. Sophomore Kyra Thompson (Tucson, Ariz.),a selection to the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational All-Tournament Team Aug. 25-26, is posting averages of 3.86 kills and 3.18 digs per game, while freshman Brittani Rendina (Lisle, Ill.) is leading the Scarlet Knights and ranks 10th in the BIG EAST Conference in digs (4.11 dpg). Senior Jocelyn Greenwald (Old Tappan, N.J.) and sophomore Roxy Calder (Oceanside, Calif.) are sharing the setting responsibilities, averaging 5.43 and 4.79 assists per game, respectively.
Rutgers returned six letterwinners and four starters from a 2005 team that posted an 11-16 overall record and a 6-8 mark in BIG EAST play under the direction of first-year head coach Orlando Gonzalez.
Long Island is 3-4 overall following a 3-0 victory against NJIT Sept. 6. Martina Wagner leads the Black Bears with 5.25 kills per game, while Svetlana Simicis posting a team-best 3.83 digs per contest. LIU returned three letterwinners and two starters from a 2005 team that was 26-14 overall last year and 8-0 to finish first in the Northeast Conference.
This will mark the season opener for the Crimson. Eleven letterwinners and six starters return from Harvard's 3-21 team of a year ago. The Crimson were 0-13 in Ivy League play, finishing eighth in the standings.
Binghamton 1-6 this season, most recently losing in five games to Weber State Sept. 2 at the Titan Classic in Fullerton, Calif. Megan Hoagleads the Bearcats with 3.04 kills per game, while Ashley Meffert is the team leader in assists (8.70 apg). Binghamton returns all 13 letterwinners and six starters from its 2005 team that was 20-12 overall and 10-2 to finish second in the America East Conference.
Rutgers is 1-0 all time against LIU and 5-1 (.833) against Harvard. This will mark the first-ever meeting between RU and Binghamton.
Rutgers will enjoy a weekend off before hosting Notre Dame Saturday, Sept. 23, at 12:00 p.m. in the Scarlet Knights' home opener.
