Hannah Curtis (Wasilla, Alaska) continues to put on a strong sophomore campaign as she was named the tournament’s MVP. Joining Curtis on the all-tournament team is Junior Emma Chrystal (Kalamazoo, Mich.)

 

The Scarlet Knights (6-7) outlasted the Hornets (6-7) by scores of 25-19, 23-25, 22-25, 25-17, 15-9. Rutgers has won the only two times the squads have faced off. Rutgers owns an impressive 4-1 record in five-set matches this season.

 

Rutgers shutdown host Bucknell (4-8) with scores of 25-20, 25-23, 25-18. The Scarlet Knights are 2-4 in three-set matches in 2009. Rutgers is 2-0 all-time against Bucknell.

 

RU has won three straight matches for the first time since the 2005 season. With six wins, the Scarlet Knights have already surpassed their win total of the previous two seasons combined. RU’s 6-7 record is the best mark the Scarlet Knights have had through 13 matches since the 2004 season when the squad was 10-3.

 

“Our players have shown a strong will and desire to want to win this season,” said Rutgers head coach CJ Werneke. “They focus when it matters most. Sometimes when things are going easy for us they lose focus but when the match is on the line they are able to find that resolve to win. This team hates to lose, so when it is crunch time they find a way to win.”

 

Curtis’ all-tournament honor marks the second straight tournament she has earned the distinction. The sophomore sensation tallied 35 kills on .359 attack percentage during the three-match event.

 

“Hannah is a great athlete and is performing well right now,” said Werneke. “We are handling the first contact much better which gives her more options. The more we can get the ball to her the better. She is handling the speed of the match much better than last season through the experience and strength she gained in the offseason.”

 

Chrystal notched 26 kills and 28 digs to for her all-tournament honors.

 

Against Delaware State, Senior Kyra Thompson (Tuscon, Ariz.)  posted her first double-double of the season with a 2009-best 11 kills and 11 digs. Junior co-captain Caitlin Saxton (Encinitas, Calif.) was limited to single-digit kills (9) for only the fourth time this season but made up for it on defense with a season-best 23 digs. Senior co-captain Jamie Godfrey (Rahway, N.J.) served a season-high three aces and tied her season-high of 28 digs.

 

Against Bucknell, Curtis notched 11 kills on 19 attempts for an outstanding .526 hitting percentage. Saxton chipped in with 10 kills.

 

Rutgers will open BIG EAST play next weekend when it hosts the University of South Florida on Saturday and Georgetown on Sunday.

 

"It is always nice to start building confidence by playing well before conference play," said Werneke. "Showing the ability to come from behind and finish strong is good to see as we have a week to go before our BIG EAST opener."

 

 

Bucknell def. Delaware State, 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-20)  

 

Radford def. Bucknell, 3-1 (10-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19)

Radford def. Delaware State, 3-1 (25-15, 24-26, 25-18, 25-22)

 

 

 

Kiley Kent - Radford

Mariah Dussbaum - Radford

Martina Ferrari - DSU

Cassandra Joyner - DSU

Ragin Jackson - Bucknell

Allison Gittings - Bucknell