SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Rutgers University volleyball team opened up BIG EAST play Friday evening as the Scarlet Knights were swept by Syracuse, 3-0 (30-16, 30-11, 30-29) at the Manley Field House.

Sophomore Kyra Thompson (Tucson, Ariz.) and freshman Katie Groff (York, Pa.) led Rutgers in kills with seven each, but the Scarlet Knights (2-8, 0-1) were unable to overcome a Syracuse attack in which nine players recorded at least one kill.

Syracuse (10-6, 1-0) took an early advantage by topping RU 30-16 in the opening game. Sophomore Sarah Morton, who posted a game-high 15 kills and six blocks, tallied six kills on just seven attempts in the opening game.

The Scarlet Knights would fall behind early in the second game 22-4 before Thompson recorded a kill and Danielle Lerch (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) followed with an ace for back-to-back Rutgers points. However, the early deficit would prove to be too much as the Scarlet Knights fell 30-11 in the second game.

Rutgers began to play its best volleyball in the third game as the score was knotted at 29-29. However, the Orange posted back-to-back points, including a match-winning kill from Morton to shut the door on the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers will continue its BIG EAST road trip on Sunday, Sept. 23 when the Scarlet Knights travel to Milwaukee, Wisc. to take on Marquette at 2 p.m.