Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CAMDEN, New Jersey (Sept. 23, 2017) – The Rutgers University-Camden volleyball team split a set of matches here today, as they hosted Wesley College and Wilkes University on Homecoming Day.
   
In the first match of the day, the Scarlet Raptors battled to a 5 set thriller, eventually dropping the contest to Wesley College 3-2.
 
Rutgers-Camden took the first set by a score of 25-20, which highlighted kills from junior Myiah Gatling (Woolwich Township, NJ, Kingsway Regional)  and senior Cortnee Wilkerson (Los Angeles, CA, West Adams Prep). Sophomores Jamie Mulligan (New Gretna, NJ, Pinelands Regional) and Jordan Erskine (Barnegat, NJ, Barnegat) also added kills for the Scarlet Raptors.
 
Wesley would bounce back in the second set to win by a margin of 25-18, tying the match at 1-1.
 
Rutgers-Camden then took the momentum back in stride during the third set, as Wilkerson strung together important points on her serve midway through the set, including 2 service aces. Sophomore Morgan Mulligan (New Gretna, NJ, Pinelands Regional) also strung together 6 straight points won her serve, including 2 service aces. The Scarlet Raptors would win the set by a score of 25-21.
 
It was another turn of the tide in the fourth set, as Wesley battled back to tie the match at 2 sets apiece. The Scarlet Raptors gained the lead twice in the set, but could not push to close out the match. The Wolverines took the fourth set by a score of 25-21.
 
The deciding set was much like the entire match, as 5 different lead changes occurred while both teams had opportunities on match points. The Scarlet Raptors could not convert up 15-14, and Wesley eventually won the fifth set by a final score of 18-16, closing out the exciting opening match of the day.
 
Erskine led the Scarlet Raptors in kills with 12, while Wilkerson and J. Mulligan both provided 10 each. Wilkerson had a team-high 5 aces, while M. Mulligan added 2. Sophomore Natalie DiGiacomo (Williamstown, NJ, Williamstown) led Rutgers-Camden in digs with 22. Freshman Alyson Lowe (Havertown, PA, Haverford) was first in assists with 22, while sophomores Meghan Gallagher (Sicklerville, NJ, Paul VI) added 12 and Caitlynn Marcano (Williamstown, NJ, Williamstown) provided 9.
   
In the final match of the day, Rutgers-Camden found themselves down 2 sets to 0 and trailing the third set by a score of 13-8 to Wilkes. In what seemed like an foreseeable third set win for the visiting Colonels, Rutgers-Camden had other plans.
 
The Scarlet Raptors fought back 4 straight points on freshman Ashley Newman's (Collegeville, PA, Methacton) serve, getting the third set back to 12-13. Back and forth action eventually saw the Scarlet Raptors down again at 17-14, before Wilkerson unleashed her powerful serve upon the Wilkes' defense. She provided 2 aces in a span of 4 points, while the Mulligan sisters Jamie and Morgan added a kill each. Crucial kills in the final points of the set by Erskine and Gatling saw the Scarlet Raptors win the third set by a score of 25-23.
 
Midway through the fourth set, the Scarlet Raptors strung together many points on their serve that Wilkes could not handle. Sophomore Victoria Lake (Mount Laurel, NJ, Lenape) added a kill from a Gallagher assist, while J. Mulligan closed out the set on a fine kill, again receiving from Gallagher. Rutgers-Camden took the fourth set by a score of 25-22.
 
The comeback seemed inevitable as Rutgers-Camden's momentum had taken full swing. Six different lead changes during the fifth set provided an exciting atmosphere for all that attended the match on Homecoming day at Rutgers-Camden. Wilkerson and Erskine both collected critical kills late in the set, as Rutgers-Camden completed the comeback down 2 sets to 0, winning the match 3-2. The Scarlet Raptors took the final set by a score of 15-13.
 
Wilkerson led in kills with 14 during the match versus Wilkes. Erskine provided 11 and J. Mulligan added 10. Erskine and Gatling both added 4 blocks each for Rutgers-Camden.  DiGiacomo again led the Scarlet Raptors on the defensive side of the play, collecting 19 digs.
 
With the split decision on the day, Rutgers-Camden moves to 6-9 on the season. The Scarlet Raptors return to New Jersey Athletic Conference play when they travel to Montclair State University on Tuesday, September 26^th, for a 7pm contest.