NEWARK, N.J. (March 7, 2019) – The Rutgers University-Newark men's volleyball team earned its first-ever New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) victory over visiting NJCU, 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-20). The Scarlet Raiders improve to 11-4 (1-1 NJAC) while the Gothic Knights are now 7-9 (0-3 NJAC).

Rutgers-Newark saw eight players record at least one kill led by senior Brendon Frank with nine. Frank also added three digs and two aces. Sophomore David Mrowko contributed seven winners while classmate Kyle Loesner and rookie Arvind Kumar each chipped in with six. Loesner also led the squad with five digs. Sophomore Travis Emenaker and senior Arnan Romua split the setting duties with 17 and 12 assists, respectively.

The Raiders return to action with a tri-match held on Saturday in The Golden Dome beginning at 11 a.m.

In the first set, Rutgers-Newark raced out to an 8-1 lead as they looked to seize control of the game. Four different players recorded a kill during that stretch as Emenaker spread the wealth.

The Scarlet Raiders largely maintained that edge before NJCU made a run at the hosts. With the score at 17-9, the Gothic Knights went on a 5-1 spurt to get within four, but that is as close as they would get. Up 20-16, the home squad went on a 5-1 surge of its own with a winner by Mrowko and two aces from Frank helping to secure the 25-17 win.

The second stanza was much more competitive with 10 ties and lead changes. Neither side led by more than four as R-N could not pull away from the visitors.

Trailing 9-8, the Raiders went on an important run, reeling off five consecutive points. Loesner and Frank each had a kill and Kumar contributed an ace during that stretch.

Still, NJCU would battle all the way back and even the game at 18-18. A rare Emenaker winner had the home team back in front but the set would remain close. The Gothic Knights were within one point at 22-21 before the Scarlet Raiders finally closed out the game on a 3-1 spurt.

Rutgers-Newark never trailed in the third and final set as the hosts turned a slim 7-6 edge into a commanding 21-9 lead. The 14-3 surge featured a pair of kills from Frank, Kumar, and Loesner as the Raiders looked to seal the sweep.

NJCU battled valiantly and was able to cut the deficit down to four, however the rally would fall short as Kumar ended the set and the match with a spike to finish off a 3-0 victory for R-N.