NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Sept. 25, 2019) – Rutgers volleyball (6-6, 0-1) opened the 2019 Big Ten schedule with a straight-set loss to Michigan (8-3, 1-0) at the College Ave. Gym on Wednesday evening.
- Sophomore outside hitter Tali Marmen led the Scarlet Knight attack with seven kills, adding four digs and a block.
- Sophomore outside hitter Anastasiia Maksimova served up a career-high three aces to go with her six kills and five digs.
- Rutgers hit .353 as a team in the second set with 14 kills and just two errors in 34 swings.
- The Scarlet Knights combined on seven service aces in the match.
- Set 1 | Freshman setter Caitlin Kikta made an immediate impact during her collegiate debut. On her very first point, she came up with a sprawling dig after her serve. A few rallies later, Kikta ended a long rally with a surprise dump kill that lead.
- Set 2 | Junior right side Kamila Cieslik capped a 6-0 run for Rutgers, which also included two service aces by Maksimova, for a 10-5 lead. Cieslik's kill sailed with pace down the sideline following a beautiful backset by Kikta, prompting a Wolverine timeout. Michigan took the lead back at 18-16 following a 4-0 spurt. Junior right side Beka Kojadinovic saved a set point with a kill before the Wolverines cemented a 2-0 lead with kill to clinch.
- Set 3 | The Wolverines finished their sweep strong with a 7-0 beginning to the set. Following an 8-1 Michigan stint, Rutgers cut into the lead with a 4-0 run powered by a Marmen kill, two Balyko aces and a block by Kojadinovic and senior center Jasmine Stackhouse.
Head coach
CJ Werneke on Kikta's debut: "Caitlin played well in her first collegiate match. She settled in during the second set and ran our offense effectively. We have to do a better job with our first passes to help out our setters, but overall, Caitlin did a great job in her first match."
- Freshman setter Caitlin Kikta made her collegiate debut in the first set, registering a dig in her very first play. The rookie from California finished her debut match with a kill, eight assists and four digs.
- Rutgers has now led or tied in service aces in nine of 12 matches.
The Scarlet Knights continue Big Ten play on Saturday, Sept. 28 for its first conference road test and first match against a ranked opponent at No. 5 Penn State beginning at 7 p.m.
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). For additional updates, please download the
Gameday App.
- RU -
