MADISON, N.J. | The Scarlet Raiders women's volleyball team participated in their first pair of matches this season. Rutgers University-Newark started their day off against Gwynedd Mercy before taking on hosts, FDU-Florham.

Match 1: Gwynedd Mercy 3, Rutgers-Newark 1

The opening set was a battle that extended longer than the 25-point score limit. The Scarlet Raiders and Griffins battled to a 29-27 scoreline which favored the Griffins. Rutgers-Newark was within one point when Gwynedd Mercy went on a 5-0 run to take a 12-6 lead. 

The Scarlet Raiders battled back with a 5-0 run of their own to knot the set up at 16. Comfort Akinbo led that charge with three kills while Karly Gregoire assisted all five points. Rutgers-Newark took the lead, 18-17 before the Griffins came back to take a 20-18 lead. Down three, Alexa Rivera would tally four straight kills to put the Scarlet Raiders within one point of victory. The Griffin would come back to take the lead and take a 1-0 lead in the match. 

In the second set, the Griffins took an early lead and never looked back as they cruised to a 25-15 win. 

The Scarlet Raider made a push in the third set to make the match 2-1 before the Griffins dug in and made finished it off in the fourth set to win the match 3-1. 

Comfort Akinbo led all players with 19 kills while Alexa Rivera was a close second with 17. Gregoire tallied a match-high 44 assist.

Match 2: Rutgers-Newark 3, FDU-Florham 0

The second match of the afternoon saw the Scarlet Raiders take on hosts, FDU-Florham. Rutgers was able to best the Devils in straight sets to finish the day, 1-1. 

Akinbo once again led the Scarlet Raiders with 15 kills while Rivera finished with 13. Gregoire paced the Scarlet Raiders with 29 assists in the win. 

All three matches were close, however, Rutgers-Newark was able to pull through and even their record at .500 to open up the year. 

The Scarlet Raiders will return to action on Tuesday, September 3 where they will play host to the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 7:00 pm.