ATHENS, Ohio  - The Rutgers University volleyball team opened its 2007 season with a 3-0 (16-30, 24-30, 16-30) loss to James Madison at the Hampton Inn Volleyball Challenge at Ohio University Friday evening.

Freshman Katie Groff (York, Pa.) led the Scarlet Knights with nine kills, while sophomore Jamie Godfrey (Rahway, N.J.) posted a team-high 11 digs. However, RU could not overcome a balanced Duke's attack in which five Madison players tallied over seven kills. Preseason Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Allyson Halls led the way for JMU with a game-high 14 kills.

The Scarlet Knights fell behind 11-3 in game one and were never able to overcome their slow start as Madison took the opening game, 30-16. In the second game, RU used a 5-0 run to take an early 10-5 lead. The Dukes responded with a 6-0 run though to take the lead at 11-10. James Madison maintained its one point edge at 24-23 before closing out the game on another 6-0 run to take a 2-0 lead in the match. In game three, the Dukes used another big run to close out the game and the match as they won the final nine points in a 30-16 game three win.

The Scarlet Knights, who were playing without two of their top players from last season, played five freshmen in the match. Amanda Meyer, who is the team's leading returner in both kills and blocks, and Kyra Thompson, who was second on last years team in kills per game, did not travel with the team for the season opening tournament.

Rutgers will return to action on Sunday, when they take on host Ohio University in the final match of the Hampton Inn Volleyball Challenge. The match is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.