NEWARK, NJ – Rutgers-Newark delivered 21 aces to highlight a 3-0 win over U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in the first contest of a non-conference tri-match in The Golden Dome.

BOX SCORES & PLAY-BY-PLAY
Rutgers-Newark 3, USMMA 0
FDU-Florham 3, USMMA 0
FDU-Florham 3, Rutgers-Newark 0

In the opening win over Merchant Marine, freshman outside hitter Ula Nieznalska paced the Scarlet Raiders (9-16) with 15.0 points with six aces and nine kills as Rutgers-Newark won 25-20, 25-17, 25-19. 

Sophomore right side Stephanie Touzan had a match-high seven kills plus three kills. Sophomore middle blocker Rachel Witt tied Nieznalska for match honors with nine kills while adding three aces and a solo block. Senior middle blocker Crystal Navarro had three aces and junior outside hitter Toni Moppert to round out the service barrage.

Freshman outside hitter Kelly Hodges paced the Mariners with six kills, 10 digs and three aces.

Sophomore outside hitter Chelsea Hoeffler led a balanced FDU-Florham effort with six kills and five aces as the Devils dispatched the Mariners (10-16), 25-11, 25-13, 25-18, in the second match.

In the nightcap, senior middle hitter Lauren Brazier had a match-high 13 kills to go along with a solo block and an assisted block as FDU-Florham (26-6) stopped the Raiders, 25-14, 25-20, 25-14. Senior setter Kerry Kuperman added 27 assists, three kills and three aces for the Devils.

Nieznalska led the Raiders with seven kills, an ace and 11 digs while Witt added five kills, an ace and a solo block. Senior libero Rose Anna Beljour made a team-high 14 digs plus a service ace.

Rutgers-Newark hosts Mount St. Mary on Tuesday as the Raiders celebrate Senior Night. Navarro and Beljour will play their final home matches.