LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Rutgers volleyball team blanked Radford,3-0, Friday night in the Bucknell Invitational at the Langone Athletics and Recreation Center. The Scarlet Knights captured the victory with scores of 25-18, 25-22, 25-23.

 

The 3-0 win improves Rutgers’ 2009 record to 4-7 and drops Radford’s mark to 7-6. Rutgers has won the only two times the squads have faced off.

 

The Scarlet Knights have won three out of their past four matches. RU’s three previous wins all came in five sets.

 

Rutgers will be back in action Saturday with matches against Delaware State (10 a.m.) and host Bucknell (5 p.m.) Live stats on GameTracker will be available for all matches at BucknellBison.com.

 

“Our team played very well by battling point to point,” said Rutgers head coach CJ Werneke. “Our players sustained their energy and when they faced adversity in the match they fought through it.”

 

Sophomore Hannah Curtis (Wasilla, Ala.) swatted a match-high .375 hitting percentage with her eight kills.  

 

Junior co-captain Caitlin Saxton (Encinitas, Calif.) was the only student-athlete to notch double digit kills in the match as she picked up 15.

 

Freshman Stephanie Zielinski (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) dished out 29 assists to bring her season total to a team-best 312.

 

“Our players are taking better ownership in how we play,” said Werneke. “They understand that the coaching staff can only do so much and they have to go out and perform. They have played much better and are working very hard these past few matches and it shows with the wins.”

 

BUCKNELL INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE/RESULTS

Sept. 18-19, 2009

All Times Eastern

 

Friday, Sept. 18

Rutgers def. Radford, 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-23)

Bucknell vs. Delaware State, 7:30 p.m.

 

Saturday, Sept. 19

Rutgers vs. Delaware State, 10 a.m.

Bucknell vs. Radford, Noon

Delaware State vs. Radford, 3 p.m.