Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico – Rutgers University-Newark fell to Erskine College and the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez in straight sets to complete the season-opening set of three matches against NCAA Division II competition on the campus of UPR-Mayaguez.
 
Freshman setter Corey Pieper totaled 40 assists in the two matches, posting 18 assists in the 25-12, 25-18, 25-22 loss to Erskine and 22 in the 25-22, 25-16, 25-6 setback against host UPR-Mayaguez.  Junior libero Quocmy Nguyen made just two reception errors in 27 attempts in the two matches.
 
Against Erskine, junior middle hitter Cody Chidsey totaled seven kills with junior opposite Travis Mintzer added six.  Nguyen handled 15 of 16 serves for the Scarlet Raiders while junior Nick Collins paced the team with five digs.  Sophomore middle hitter Nick Kuti posted three solo blocks and came up with three digs.
 
Against UPR-Mayaguez, Chidsey led the way with six kills, two solo blocks and a blocking assist while Kuti finished with four kills and four solo blocks.  Nguyen handled 11 serves with one reception error while sophomore libero Harrison Albert made four digs.
 
Fourth-year head coach Pedro Trevino was able to see his entire squad during the three matches as they prepare for their first season as an NCAA Division III team after 38 seasons of Division I competition.
 
Rutgers-Newark travels to Stevenson University, a member of the Scarlet Raiders' new league (Continental Volleyball Conference) next Saturday to face New York University and New Paltz at a neutral site.  The Raiders take on NYU at 1 p.m. and New Paltz at 3 in Owings Mills, Maryland.
 
The first home match of the season will be against neighborhood rival NJIT on January 27 at 7 p.m. in The Golden Dome Arena.