NEWARK, NJ – Juniors Rachel Witt and Stephanie Touzan notched double-digit kills, but Rutgers-Newark fell to Hunter College, 3-1, in its home opener played in The Golden Dome Rec Gym.   Set scores were 25-9, 24-26, 25-12, 15-16.

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Middle blocker Witt had a team-high 13.5 points on a dozen kills, an ace and an assisted block while right side Touzan chipped in 10 kills but the Scarlet Raiders (1-10) lost for the seventh straight time while Hunter improved to 6-3.

Sophomore setter Jen Mendoza tallied 32 assists and 11 digs while making three kills for Rutgers-Newark.  Sophomore outside hitter Ula Nieznalska came off the bench for five kills and nine digs while rookie libero Alexis Mest contributed 18 digs.  Outside hitters Toni Moppert and Erica Hoffman were limited to four kills apiece.

Witt had six kills plus and ace as the Raiders battled for a 26-24 win in game two to draw even in the match, but Hunter hit .458 (13 kills, two errors, 24 attacks) in the third frame to regain control of the contest.

Senior outside hitter Christine Luebcke paced the Hawks with match-highs of 17 kills and 19.0 points while adding two aces.  Freshman outside hitter Paulina Jobczyk had 11 kills, three of Hunter's nine aces and 14 digs.  Junior libero Alisa Jaganjac came up with a match-high 22 digs.

Rutgers-Newark hosts a pair of New Jersey Athletic Conference matches this week, taking on Kean University on Tuesday and William Paterson on Thursday in the Rec Gym.  Each match begins at 7 p.m.

Friday the team will host an Alumni Game at 7 o'clock as part of Homecoming Weekend.  On Saturday, women's volleyball great Robin Pearce (2001-2005) will be one of four alums inducted into the Rutgers-Newark Athletic Hall of Fame.

Rutgers-Newark matches are being played in the Rec Gym while new seating is being installed in The Golden Dome Arena.