NEWARK, NJ – Junior opposite Dane Mulligan paced Rutgers-Newark with 15 kills and five assisted blocks, but #14 Lewis held off a Rutgers-Newark rally in five sets in the opening session of The Golden Dome Classic. 

Senior outside hitter Nathan Klaas pounded down 25 kills with seven assisted blocks and two aces to help for the Flyers (2-0), who survived 30-21, 30-22, 27-30, 26-30, 15-12.

Saint Francis 3, NJIT 0 (30-22,30-27,30-26)
Lewis 3, Rutgers-Newark 2 (30-21,30-22,27-30,26-30,15-12)

No. 15 Saint Francis (4-1) swept NJIT (0-3) in the opener, 30-22, 30-27, 30-26, behind a dozen kills and three aces by senior outside hitter Jordan Varee.

Scarlet Raider senior middle blocker Jon Keller netted 15.5 points on 11 kills, a solo block and seven assisted blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Kenneth de Groh came off the bench to post 11 kills, an ace and a solo block in three sets to help spark the Rutgers-Newark comeback along with junior setter Liran Shapiro who piled up 31 assists in the final three frames.

Freshman opposite Ian Karbiener chipped in 18 kills, a solo block and three assisted blocks for Lewis while senior setter Mike Iandolo contributed 56 assists, a solo block and four assisted blocks.

Senior outside hitter Nick Rivett posted 11 kills and four assisted blocks for the Red Flash while sophomore setter Ryan Williams notched 36 assists.

NJIT was paced by sophomore outside hitter Glen De Magalhaes with 12 kills and two assisted blocks while freshman outside hitter Christian Puszies tallied eight kills, an ace and two assisted blocks.

Lewis takes on NJIT at 4:30 p.m. to open Saturday's play with Rutgers-Newark facing Saint Francis in the 7 o'clock finale.