CAMDEN, N.J. (Sept. 8, 2024) – After playing its first four matches on the road, the Rutgers University-Camden volleyball team finally hosted its home openers here Sunday in a tri-match against Penn State-Brandywine and Alvernia University.
 
The Raptors swept Penn State-Brandywine, 3-0 (25-9, 25-12 and 25-17) for their first win of the season before getting swept 3-0 by Alvernia (25-14, 25-21 and 25-17).
 
In the middle match of the day, Alvernia beat Penn State-Brandywine, 3-0  (25-12, 25-23, 25-21).
 
The tri-match leaves Rutgers-Camden with a 1-5 record, while Alvernia is 5-2 and Penn State-Brandywine falls to 1-3.
 
The Scarlet Raptors host Immaculata University at 7 p.m. Thursday.
   
The Scarlet Raptors scored the first 12 points in the first set, led by three kills from freshman Maria Theruviparambil, on their way to a 25-9 victory. Theruviparambil wrapped up the win with a kill, giving her five kills in five total attacks in the set.
 
In the second set, kills by senior middle hitter/right side Kaitlyn Parrish and freshman middle blocker Gabby Gbolahan, and a service ace from sophomore outside hitter/right side Sofia Granieri, sparked the Scarlet Raptors to a quick 3-0 lead. Although Brandywine closed its deficit to 6-5, the Scarlet Raptors scored the next 10 points en route to a 25-12 victory. Parrish wrapped up the victory with an assist from sophomore defensive specialist/libero Mia Owens.
 
Down, 7-3, in the third set, the Scarlet Raptors came roaring back to take an 8-7 lead on an ace by junior defensive specialist/libero Sophia LaPorta. After the Nittany Lions tied the set at 10-10, a kill by LaPorta sparked a 9-0 Raptor run. The Raptors wrapped up a 25-17 victory on a kill by sophomore middle hitter/right side Mia Francis.
 
Granieri finished with 11 kills, while hitting .421, while Parrish had nine kills and hit .438 and Theruviparambil notched six kills and his .750. Granieri also added seven service aces and seven digs, while sophomore defensive specialist/libero Madison Snelgrove drilled four service aces.
 
Junior setter Avery Ang collected 13 assists, sophomore setter JoAnna Andrews had nine assists and Owens notched 10 digs and four assists. Gbolahan led the Raptors with one solo block and three block assists.
   
In the opening set, Alvernia scored three straight points to break a 7-7 deadlock and went on to post a 25-14 victory. The Golden Wolves won a tight second set, 25-21 and notched eight straight points in the third set to overcome a 2-1 deficit and went on to win, 25-17.
 
Granieri finished with eight kills and 11 digs to lead the team, while Francis had six kills and Theruviparambil added five. Ang and Francis had 11 and 10 assists, respectively, while Owens collected 10 digs. Snelgrove finished with two of the team's four service aces and added seven digs.
 
Francis led the Raptors with three block assists, with Parrish and junior middle blocker/right side Jessica Wiemer adding two apiece.