NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Oct. 28, 2017) – Rutgers volleyball fell in straight sets to No. 5 Minnesota on Saturday evening at the College Ave. Gym by scores of 25-9, 25-11, 25-14.
 
The Scarlet Knights (5-19, 0-12 Big Ten) received a match-high 16 digs from sophomore libero Karysa Swackenberg, who matched her Big Ten career high against the Golden Gophers (21-2, 10-2). Minnesota, who has not been ranked lower than No. 6 throughout the 2017 season, used a .398 hitting percentage, six blocks and seven service aces for its ninth straight victory.
 
Rutgers' offense was paced by junior outside hitter Sahbria McLetchie and freshman opposite hitter Kamila Cieslik, who had seven kills apiece. Sophomore middle blocker Stasa Miljevic added five kills on a team-high .286 attack clip. Saturday marked the 13^th match that Miljevic reached at least five kills through 24 dates.
 
Highlighting the first set was a 36-touch rally that saw the ball cross the net 14 times. Miljevic finished the rally with a point for Rutgers, killing a pass from sophomore setter Megan Sharkey following a dig by Swackenberg.
 
In the third, redshirt junior Brooke Enners, the lone Scarlet Knight from New Jersey, ignited the hometown crowd with a kill from Sharkey to bring Rutgers within 19-14. The attack finished off a 4-2 run that saw two kills from McLetchie and another from Miljevic.
 
Sophomore middle blocker Jasmine Stackhouse was involved in both of Rutgers' blocks against Minnesota, picking up two assists to bring her total season block total to 65.
 
The Scarlet Knights will hit the road for another midweek Big Ten match at Michigan on Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. to close out the season series.
 
 
Follow Rutgers Volleyball on Twitter and Instagram (@RUvball) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersVolleyball). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).