New Brunswick, N.J.--The St. Johns volleyball team defeated Rutgers, 3-1 (30-15, 30-28, 26-30, 30-26) this afternoon in a BIG EAST conference match played on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. The Red Storm improve to 23-8 overall and 5-4in the BIG EAST, while the Scarlet Knights fall to 9-16 Overall and 3-6 in the conference.

St. Johns started game one on fire, using a well-balanced attack to go on a 7-1 run. The run was highlighted by two kills apiece from senior Rosalyn Dang (Honolulu, Hawaii) and sophomore Jackie Ahlers (Stony Point, N.Y.). The Red Storm extended its lead to 10-2 on blocks by junior Yana Ruban (Kiev, Ukraine), freshman Puna Richardson (Honolulu, Hawaii) and sophomore Anicia Wood (Wotton Terrace, Barbados). The Red Storm maintained their big lead, cruising to a 30-15 game one victory. For the game, Ruban tallied five kills, Ahlers finished with four kills, while Dang added three kills, one service ace and one block assists. Senior setter Robyn Kurasaki (Milliani, Hawaii) dished out 13 assists and freshman libero Nicole Colaluca (Naperville, Ill.) recorded eight digs on the back row.

St. Johns started out game two similarly to game one, thanks to the play of Ahlers. The outside hitter recorded four kills and one block assists, igniting a 7-2 Red Storm run to start game two. Rutgers answered back, clawing back into the game at 11-10. The teams traded points with St. Johns maintaining a slim lead throughout thanks to the hitting power of Ahlers, Ruban and Wood. With the Red Storm ahead 27-25, a pair of kills by Richardson and a Rutgers error secure a 30-28 game two win and a 2-0 match lead for St. Johns. For game two, Ahlers totaled six kills, while Ruban tallied five kills on 11 attempts for a .364 hitting percentage. Dang, Wood, and Richardson added three kills apiece, while Kurasaki dished out 17 assists.

The Scarlet Knights took back some of the match momentum, jumping out to a 10-15 game three advantage. The team traded points for the rest of the game with Rutgers winning game three, 25-30, to make the match score 2-1 in favor of St. Johns. Ahlers totaled six kills for the game, while Dang added three kills on the right side.

Game four started off with Rutgers taking the early advantage but the Red Storm answered back to tie the game at 10. With the score tied, St. Johns went on a 7-3 run, highlighted by two kills apiece from Ruban and Ahlers and block assists by Kurasaki and Richardson. Rutgers would not go quietly, puling the game even at 24. With the score tied at 24, the Red Storm reeled off five straight points thanks to two kills by Ahlers and block assists by Kurasaki and Wood. On match point, Ahlers smashed one cross-court for a 30-26 game four victory and 3-1 match win.

For the match, Ahlers totaled 20 kills, while Ruban finished with 15 kills on 30 attempts. Kurasaki dished out 57 assists, while Colaluca finished with 15 digs on the back row.

St. Johns returns to action this Friday, November 7 when they host Boston College at Alumni Hall. First serve is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.