NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark freshman middle blocker Rachel Witt notched career highs with 13 kills and six service aces, but the College of Staten escaped The Golden Dome Rec Gym with a 3-2 non-conference victory. Set scores were 25-16, 25-20, 23-25, 13-25, 15-12 on "Dig Pink" Day.

Staten Island 3, Rutgers-Newark 2

The Scarlet Raiders hosted a "Dig Pink" event to draw attention and help raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.  To donate to the Side-Out Foundation's drive under the Rutgers-Newark team page -- and learn more about the program, please click below!

Rutgers-Newark's "Dig Pink" Donation Page

Back-to-back aces by Witt gave the Scarlet Raiders (0-21) an 8-5 lead in the fifth set, and Rutgers-Newark was up, 11-8, on a kill by junior middle blocker Na-Keta Michael, before Staten Island reeled off six straight points to take charge of the contest.

A dink kill by senior Alba Basha gave the Dolphins a 14-11 advantage, thwarting an inspired comeback by the Raiders who trailed 2-0 in sets and 23-18 in the third frame before a miraculous rally.

Senior libero Val Dauti, freshman right side Stephanie Touzan and Michael each had kills to go along with an ace by sophomore outside hitter Toni Moppert to fuel the 7-0 closing burst in set three which set the stage for a strong fourth set win by Rutgers-Newark.

Witt, Moppert and Michael each had two kills without an error in the fourth frame as the Raiders hit a sizzling .364 as a unit in the 25-13 set which shifted momentum. But, CSI (5-9) hung on for the win, dashing Rutgers-Newark's hopes of breaking into the victory column.

Witt scored 20.5 points, adding a solo block and an assisted block to her totals. Moppert knocked down six kills, made a dozen digs and notched four of the Raiders' 20 aces. Michael finished with six kills and a pair of assisted blocks while Dauti registered a team-high 14 digs, five aces and three kills. Junior setter Gabi Mangieri totaled 28 assists.

Junior middle blocker Joanna Tepedino and sophomore outside hitter Danielle Ponsiglione carried the Dolphins. Tepedino led the squad with nine kills and 15 digs while adding five of CSI's 22 service aces. Ponsiglione roped eight aces, made 10 digs and delivered eight kills. 

Rutgers-Newark hosts Kean at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in a New Jersey Athletic Conference match.