TAMPA, Fla. (October 31, 2010) – The Rutgers volleyball team (10-14, 2-8 BIG EAST) closed out the road portion of its BIG EAST schedule with a dramatic five-set victory over the USF Bulls (10-12, 6-5 BIG EAST). For the match, RU was led by freshman Brittany Bozzini (Saratoga, Calif.), who had a career day with 24 kills, and sophomore Stephanie Zielinski (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) who tallied her 12thdouble-double of the season with 62 assists and 17 digs.
After dropping the first set, 25-19, the Scarlet Knights came out on fire in the second jumping out to an early 10-3 lead behind strong serving from Zielinski and Hannah Curtis (Wasilla, Alaska). From there, RU continued its strong play and eventually closed out the set, 25-17, on a thunderous kill from Bozzini.
Following the break, USF came out strong and took the third set 25-17 forcing Rutgers’ backs against the wall.
The Scarlet Knights responded by taking a tight fourth set, 25-20. The fourth set featured 13 ties and three lead changes before RU used a 4-1 run to close out the set. The run was highlighted by a pair of monster kills from Bozzini.
The deciding fifth set saw Rutgers jump out to a 7-3 lead behind a pair of aces and clutch serving from freshman Sheridan Taylor (Manhattan Beach, Calif.). Despite the early lead, USF fought back eventually evening the score at 14-14 setting up a win by two situation.
The Bulls drew the first blood on a service ace to earn their first match point, 15-14, but RU responded when senior captain Caitlin Saxton (Encinitas, Calif.) slammed home the most important of her 18 kills to even the score. RU got within a point of the win, 16-15, on the next play thanks to a USF ball handling error, but the Bulls responded quickly with a kill from Allie Boaz to retie the match. With the Bulls on serve in a tie match, the Scarlet Knights responded with yet another kill from Bozzini, her 24thof the match. Following the Bozzini kill, senior Emma Chrystal (Portage, Mich.) stepped up to the service line and delivered a beautiful serve that the Bulls could not corral to close out the game and match for the Scarlet Knights, 18-16.
Rutgers returns to action next Saturday, Nov. 6, when they welcome the Marquette Golden Eagles to College Ave. Gym for a 2 p.m. matchup.
