PISCATAWAY, N.J. –  The Rutgers volleyball team closed out the Rutgers Volleyball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena edged out by Princeton in three sets, 25-22, 26-24, 25-18.

Redshirt freshman outside hitter Alissa Kinkela was named to the Rutgers Volleyball Tournament All-Tournament team.
 

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

• Alissa Kinkela earned her second nod to an all-tournament squad this fall earning MVP honors at the College of Charleston Classic to open the year.
• Kinkela averaged 3.33 kills per set and swung .316 over the course of the weekend's three games. She also came up with six blocks. She had a tournament-high 13 kills against the Tigers on Sunday hitting a career-best .414. She also served up a pair of aces along with three blocks against FDU.
• Joining Kinkela on the all-tournament team were Princeton's Avery Luoma (MVP), Melina Mahood and Cameron Dames, FIU's Alyssa Wissinger and Katie Turner and FDU's Tatijana Fucka.

STANDOUT STATS

• Redshirt freshman Alissa Kinkela and freshman Bekah Williams each had double-figure kills for the Scarlet Knights. Kinkela led the way hitting .414 with 13 kills and only one attack error. Williams meanwhile added 10 kills.
• Redshirt junior Lauren DeLo set up the attack with 33 assists.
• Sophomore Lucy Malone came up with a trio of aces while defensively she led RU with 13 digs.
• Megan Vernon had three total blocks, including a solo block that moved her into the Rutgers rally-era season top ten list.

KEY MOMENTS

• Set 1 (22-25) | It was a back-and-forth battle that saw Rutgers hit a blistering .423 including Alissa Kinkela with seven points off 10 attacks and no errors. However, it was Princeton who would pull out the opening set win. RU opened up its afternoon with a 5-1 lead behind three successful swings from Kinkela. Princeton, however, countered with a 6-1 run for the first of six ties in the opening frame. The Tigers opened the gap a little wider at 13-9, but the Scarlet Knights stormed back with seven-straight points for a 16-13 edge.  Lucy Malone was at the service line for the run, which included two of her game-high three aces. Princeton came back to outscore RU, 5-1, to take back the lead at 17-18. While a Tiger service era knotted the score at 18-18 on the next point, Princeton collected the next two points and stayed in front down the stretch.
• Set 2 (24-26) | The second set proved to be another back-and-forth challenge playing to 14 ties and seven lead changes with neither team ahead more than two points. A kill from the hands of Bekah Williams put Rutgers at set point at 24-23, but the Tigers prevailed to go up 2-0 taking the next three points. Williams and Kinkela both contributed four kills in the stanza.
• Set 3 (18-25) | A Williams' swing tied the third set up at 9-9, but the visitors went on a 6-1 run to follow to take the lead for good. Megan Vernon had three kills on five swings and came up with her three blocks during the final set. Williams also added a trio of kills.

UP NEXT

• Rutgers opens Big Ten action next weekend with a pair of games at Jersey Mike's Arena.
• The Scarlet Knights kick off conference action on BTN with Chris Vosters and Emily Ehman on the call on Friday, September 23 at 6 p.m. Fans are asked to help RED out Jersey Mike's Arena for the Big Ten opener with the first100 people to enter receiving a free RED Rutgers t-shirt. Additionally junior Scarlet Knight fans (ages 12 & under) can enjoy the pre-game inflatables in the hospitality corner.
• RU will also host Michigan State on Sunday, September 25 at 1 p.m.
• Admission to all home games is free.
• Parking for all home games is free with registration.

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