The Rutgers women’s volleyball team continues its grueling conference schedule with No. 2 Wisconsin at home on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The Scarlet Knights then travel to No. 16 Penn State for its second matchup in as many weeks against the Nittany Lions on Saturday, Oct. 8. First serve is set for 7 p.m. ET in both contests.
Game 1: Wednesday, Oct. 4 vs. #2 Wisconsin 7 p.m. Live Stats | BTN Plus ($)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. #16 Penn State 7 p.m. Live Stats | Live Stream
RU’S LAST TIME OUT
Rutgers (4-13, 0-4 Big Ten) hosted No. 22 Michigan and No. 18 Michigan State, dropping both matches in three sets. The Scarlet Knights have competed in four consecutive matches against a ranked foe or opponent receiving votes at the time of the meeting, including Penn State (No. 18), Illinois (RV), Michigan (22) and Michigan State (18).
In the game against Michigan, the Scarlet Knights pushed the Wolverines to the brink in the second and third stanzas, being edged by set scores of 25-23 and 25-21. Tiaja McKnight led the Scarlet Knights with a career-best nine blocks, as the sophomore matched her previous career-high of five blocks in the second set alone. RU posted a team season-high in blocks to lead UM 15.5-9 in the category. Mikaela Matthews leads the team with 1.26 blocks per set to rank seventh in the league.
SCOUTING NO. 2 WISCONSIN
Wisconsin (12-1, 4-0 Big Ten) enters the week on a seven-match win streak, which includes ranked wins over No. 16 Texas-A&M (3-0), No. 2 Texas (3-2), No. 19 Ohio State (3-0) and No. 14 Purdue (3-2). UW’s sole loss came at the hands of then-No. 11 North Carolina in a five-set match.
As a team, the Badgers lead the Big Ten and are fifth in the nation in blocks per set (3.13). Tionna Williams ranks third in the conference and eighth in the nation in blocks per set (1.60), along with eighth in the league in hitting percentage (.360). Lauren Carlini sits at third in the league with 11.30 assists per set.
UW has earned the win in all four meetings between the teams since RU joined the Big Ten in 2014. The Badgers have been ranked in the top 20 in each contest with the Scarlet Knights.
SCOUTING NO. 16 PENN STATE
Penn State (12-3, 4-0 Big Ten) is one of three teams still undefeated in Big Ten matchups, including top-ranked Minnesota and Wisconsin. PSU enters the week on a 10-match win streak, including eight straight sweeps capped by victories over No. 22 Michigan and No. 18 Michigan State last weekend.
As a squad, PSU ranks second in the Big Ten with a team hitting percentage of .309, a mark that also ranks fifth in the nation. Leading the hitters is Haleigh Washington, sitting at second in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation with a .422 hitting percentage. The Nittany Lions lead the nation in opposing hitting percentage (.100), as Tori Gorrell leads the team with 1.20 blocks per set.
Penn State holds a 28-9 lead in the all-time series. RU hosted PSU in its conference opener on Sept. 21 of this season, where then-No. 18 Nittany Lions took the win in three sets.
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Courtesy of Rutgers Athletics.
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