NEWARK, N.J. | The Scarlet Raiders found their winning form this afternoon after sweeping Mount Saint Mary College, 3-0 (25-23, 25-18, 25-15). Rutgers University-Newark (12-8) surged from behind in the opening set to assert dominance over Mount Saint Mary College (7-14).

As a team, the Scarlet Raiders hit .253 and tallied 30 kills on 91 total attacks. The women had their hit percentage increase every set capped by a .290 percentage in the final set of the afternoon. Mount Saint Mary hit just .168 as a squad and had a match-high 17 kills in the first set.

Comfort Akinbo paced the Scarlet Raiders with 9 kills on 23 attacks with Jessica Moy right behind with eight. Brione Lockett once again had a great game from the backline as she tallied a match-high 20 digs. Karly Gregoire amassed 21 assists in the win while also leading with four service aces.

Renee Hydo collected a kill from Emily Mazzurco to put her team up 20-14 late in the opening set. Grace Riddle recorded a service error to give the ball back to the Scarlet Raiders which initiated the comeback. Down by five, Akinbo slammed three kills into the court while Lockett served up an ace to bring Rutgers University-Newark within one. A timeout by the Knights proved to not be enough as the Scarlet Raiders came out of the timeout and tied the game up at 20.

Julia Farkas knotted the game up at 21 which set up Lockett to put her team ahead for good. Meredith Moore gave the Scarlet Raiders set point and was followed up by an attacking error by Hydo to allow the Scarlet Raiders to complete the comeback.

Once again both teams were evenly matched to open the second set with the lead seesawing back-and-forth. The Scarlet Raiders were able to grab hold of the lead and take a five-point lead when Saniyiah Richardson recorded an ace to put her team up 16-11. Out of the timeout, Mt. St. Mary brought the set within one before a ball handling error brought the ball back over to the Scarlet Raiders.

Mt. St. Mary nearly tied the set up by Gregoire picked up a kill to put her team up a pair. The Scarlet Raiders held Mt. St. Mary scoreless for the remainder of the set to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

In the final set of the afternoon, the Knights came out strong and took a 3-0 lead, however, the Scarlet Raiders got back in the set and went on a late 8-1 run to take a 19-9 lead to secure the sweep. 

Next up for the Scarlet Raiders is a New Jersey Athletic Conference match against William Paterson University on Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00 pm.