Box Score

CAMDEN, New Jersey. (Sept. 7, 2017) – The Rutgers University-Camden and Misericordia University volleyball teams battled back and forth to a thrilling match tonight here at the Rutgers University-Camden gymnasium, keeping the crowd on the edges of their seats until the final point.
 
The Cougars from Dallas, PA, came out on top, defeating the Scarlet Raptors in 5 sets (24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 25-15, and 16-14).
 
The exciting match started off with many lead changes, as Rutgers-Camden took the opening set, winning by a close score of 26-24. The set was led by kills from senior Cortnee Wilkerson (Los Angeles, CA, West Adams Prep), sophomore Jamie Mulligan (New Gretna, NJ, Pinelands Regional), sophomore Jordan Erskine (Barnegat, NJ, Barnegat), and sophomore Morgan Mulligan (New Gretna, NJ, Pinelands Regional). Wilkerson ended the close set with a kill on a great dish by sophomore Caitlynn Marcano (Williamstown, NJ, Williamstown).
 
Marcano continued her dominance in assists throughout the night, finishing with 28. Sophomore Meghan Gallagher (Sicklerville, NJ, Paul VI) contributed 15 assists.
 
The momentum shifted in the Scarlet Raptors' favor after dropping the second set. They dominated the third set by a score of 25-17, after a late push by the Cougars to try to tie the set at 24. The Cougar push was strung together by 6 straight points won, but another Wilkerson kill was all that was needed to secure the 2-1 set lead.
 
Just as the momentum shifted for Rutgers-Camden in the third set, Misericordia were the ones who picked up the pace in the fourth set. The Cougars jumped out to an early 8-3 lead, and never gave up that lead. Kills from junior Myiah Gatling (Woolwich Township, NJ, Kingsway Regional) and her teammates were not enough, as Misericordia won the fourth set by a score of 25-15.
 
Heading into the final set of the match, the Cougars saw an 11-6 lead snapped by the Scarlet Raptors. Sophomore Natalie DiGiacomo (Williamstown, NJ, Williamstown) provided 2 clutch service aces in that string of points, as the match was tied 13-13. The Scarlet Raptors fought off a match point at 13-14 from yet another Wilkerson kill, but eventually dropped the final set by a score of 16-14, deciding the electrifying match in the Cougars' favor (3-2).
 
DiGiacomo led the Scarlet Raptors in digs on the night, providing 24. Wilkerson led in kills with 14, and M. Mulligan added 13. Erksine finished with 9 kills. Each team contributed 10 total aces, as freshman Ashley Newman (Collegeville, PA, Methacton) led the Scarlet Raptors with 3. Gatling and Marcano both added 2 aces each.

Gatling provided 4 crucial blocks for the Scarlet Raptor defense. J. Mulligan also added 2, and freshman Emma Browning (Columbus, NJ, Northern Burlington) contributed 1 block.
 
Rutgers University-Camden drops to 3-3 on the young season, as Misericordia improves their record to 4-1.
 
The Scarlet Raptors take the weekend off before they open up New Jersey Athletic Conference play, hosting New Jersey City University on Tuesday, September 12^th for a 7pm match.