NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (August 25, 2016) - The Rutgers volleyball team is set to open its 2016 slate at the Bryant Hampton Inn-vitational from Aug. 26-27. The tournament features St. John's, Rider, Hartford and host Bryant.

Live results will be available for all matches, along with a live video stream of the Scarlet Knights match against the Bulldogs.

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL | 2016 SCHEDULE | 2016 ROSTER | MATCH NOTES

RU AT A GLANCE
Rutgers sets out to add to its continued growth and build on its 2015 record of 4-28 and 1-19 in Big Ten play. Following the graduation of six senior starters a year ago, the Scarlet Knights return seven letterwinners while adding five freshman and two transfers to the roster.

Leading the returners is junior outside hitter Meme Fletcher, who posted a team-high 3.57 kills per set to go with 332 kills and 238 digs in 28 matches. Senior right side Lauren Cloyd followed with 228 kills and 88 blocks in 31 matches.

For a full outlook of RU's 2016 season, click here.

SCOUTING ST. JOHN'S
St. John's is coming off an overall record of 18-15 and BIG EAST record of 8-10 a year ago, returning two starters out of 11 letterwinners and adding three newcomers. Julia Cast, a 2015 All-BIG EAST Second Team selection, is the Red Storm's leading returner after posting .333 hitting percentage with 262 kills last season.

SJU holds an 11-9 lead in the all-time series versus RU. Most recently, the former conference foes squared off twice in 2012 where RU took the first meeting 3-2 and SJU took the second 3-1.

SCOUTING RIDER
Rider enters 2016 following its first playoff qualifying season since 2004, posting an overall record of 16-17 and a mark of 11-7 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Broncos return 10 letterwinners from the squad that reached the MAAC quarterfinals. Kaitlyn Griffin, a Preseason All-MAAC selection, returns after a team-leading 2.37 kills per set to go with 308 kills and 129 blocks in 2015.

Rutgers leads the all-time series with Rider, 13-2. The Scarlet Knights have won the last four meetings with the most recent win in 2010 where RU took a 3-0 victory.

SCOUTING HARTFORD
In 2015, Hartford posted a record of 2-27 overall and 1-11 in America East play under new leadership of first-year head coach Mitch Kallick. The roster boasts America East All-Rookie Team selection Paulina Modestow, who posted 2.74 kills per set for a total of 266 kills on the season.

Rutgers has won all five matchups between the programs with the most recent victory coming as a 3-2 showing in 2011.

SCOUTING BRYANT
Bryant is coming off of its first-ever appearance at the Northeast Conference Tournament in 2015. The Bulldogs set a program record of 19 victories to go with a 10-4 record in league play. All-NEC Second Team selection, Kristin Kingi, returns the roster after notching 2.99 kills per set a year ago. Setter Vika Katzen also returns to follow-up a 1,034-assist season.

Rutgers and Bryant will be meeting for the first time in program history.

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