NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (August 31, 2011) – Behind a balanced attack and a career-high 20 kills from junior Alex Jones (Chesapeake, Va.), Rutgers University volleyball opened its home schedule on Wednesday night with a 3-1 victory over NJIT at the College Ave Gym. The Scarlet Knights now lead the all-time series 2-0 over the Highlanders.
After being stuck in a hotel for several days – only getting back from the weekend tournament in Texas on Tuesday evening – the Scarlet Knights (2-3) started out slow in the first set, falling 25-20. Jones led RU with seven opening-set kills.
The team shook off the rust in the second set to take a big lead and held off a late surge from NJIT to even the match to put the momentum on the home side.
“It was a total team effort tonight,” said head coach CJ Werneke. “We gave up a big lead [in the second set] and a lot of teams would have panicked, but we found a way. I am proud of our leaders for stepping up and sending us in the right direction to even the match. It is a big difference between being down 2-0 and even at one.”
From there, the Scarlet Knights took control of the match to win the third, 25-19, and the fourth set, 25-22, to seal the victory in front of the 212 fans at the College Ave Gym.
Rutgers displayed a balanced attack throughout the night with three players recording double-digit kills, and five players tallying double-digit digs. Sophomore Brittany Bozzini (Saratoga, Calif.) put together a double-double with 14 kills and 11 digs.
Setter Stephanie Zielinski (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) led the team in both digs (14) and assists (48), while Sheridan Taylor (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) recorded career-highs in digs (13) and assists (9).
The story for Rutgers on Wednesday, however, was the play of the middle blockers. Jones and Hannah Curtis (Wasilla, Alaska) combined for 34 kills, hitting at .375 and .522 respectively for the match.
“I’ve said all year long that the only people that can stop our middle blockers are themselves,” said Werneke. “They continue to produce and each is willing to do whatever it takes for the team to win.”
The team finished the match hitting at a season-high .302 clip with 68 total kills.
The Highlanders (1-1) were led by Camilla Tinari and her 15 kills. Anna Mercado registered 35 assists in defeat.
RU will head back on the road this weekend, traveling to Fairfield, Conn. to play in the three-match Sacred Heart Invitational. The tournament gets underway Friday afternoon versus Hartford at 4:30 p.m.
