Score: Rutgers 3, VCU 0 (25-16, 30-28, 26-24)
Location: New Brunswick, N.J. (College Ave. Gym)
Records: VCU 1-5, Rutgers 4-5
 
The short story: Junior outside hitter Julia Rienks spiked 16 kills for VCU, but the Rams dropped their weekend finale at Rutgers Saturday afternoon.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Rienks' 16 kills led all players. She hit .222 in 36 swings for the Black and Gold and added five digs and two aces
• Freshman Lara Del Core also provided 10 kills, six digs three aces and two blocks for the Rams
• VCU sophomore libero Anja Kujundzic recorded 12 digs on the back row, while sophomore Julieta Portillo notched seven kills in her most extensive action in a Rams uniform
• Lexi Visintine spurred the Scarlet Knights with 11 kills and nine digs 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU was unable to slow down the Rutgers offensive attack. The Scarlet Knights hit .344 on their home floor and were credited with just eight attacking errors. The Rams hit .143 in the contest
• The match swung on late rallies in the second and third sets. VCU led 20-15 in the second, but Rutgers would not go away. A pair of kills by Anna Hartman led a 9-2 burst that propelled the Scarlet Knights into a 24-22 advantage. VCU staved off two set points and eventually pulled in front at 26-25 and again at 28-27 on a Portillo kill, but the Rams could not get over the hump. Rutgers scored the final three points, including a kill by Alissa Kinkela to clinch the 30-28 win
• In the third, the Rams held a 23-19 advantage, but RU managed to fight off set point three times and closed the stanza with a 4-0 burst

NEXT UP
VCU will head to Raleigh, N.C. to face N.C. State on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.