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Sunday, August 31
Buffalo, N.Y.
1 p.m.
2-1,0-0MAC
3
vs
2
Rutgers
1-2,0-0Big Ten
1
2
3
4
5
F
Rutgers
18
20
25
25
14
2
Buffalo
25
25
20
20
16
3
Photo by: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
Bulls Defeat Rutgers for First Win Over Big Ten Opponent Since 2017
8/31/2025 5:00:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – In the final match of the Buffalo Invite presented by UB Dental, the Buffalo Bulls volleyball team (2-1, 0-0 MAC) defeated the visiting Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-2, 0-0 Big Ten) in a thrilling five set match, 25-18, 25-20, 20-25, 20-25, 16-14. The last time the Bulls defeated a Big Ten opponent came on Sept. 2, 2017, when they took down the same Rutgers program, 3-2.
Buffalo's offense started where it left off yesterday. Freshman Emerson Matthews recorded her first career double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs. She added three blocks for a total of 19 points, a team high. Manoela Forlin finished with 16 kills and 18.5 points to go with her .355 hitting percentage. Forlin also had a solo block and a block assist on the afternoon. Sydney Bell totaled 10 kills as she finished with 12 points. Maddie Mitchell had a great day for the Bulls as she had 46 assists and seven kills on 12 attempts. She finished with a .583 hitting percentage.
Middle blocker Tahya Shaw showed the team's depth as she chipped in seven kills on nine attempts.
Keira Kleidon finished the day with 14 digs.
As a team, the Bulls closed the day out with 10 total blocks to Rutger's five. On the attack, Buffalo had a .333 hitting percentage as they allowed Rutgers to hit just .255.
SET 1
Buffalo's offense could do no wrong from the start. They outhit the Scarlet Knights, .550 to .190, as they only had a pair of attack errors in the set. After trading points in the beginning, the Bulls never lost they lead after going up 5-4 as they managed to extend their lead to seven at 21-14.
SET 2
After taking the first set, 25-18, the Bulls continued their dominance in the second set. Buffalo managed to have a better hitting percentage in the set at .560, the Scarlet Knights improved their attack as they hit .381. With the well-balanced offense, Forlin and Matthews led the attack as they each had four kills. Rutgers took an early 2-0 lead, but it was nothing the Bulls couldn't handle as they then took a 4-3 lead and never looked back.
SET 3
Buffalo's offense stalled in the third set as they had a bleak .077 hitting percentage. Rutgers capitalized on the offensive struggles as they took the set, 25-20.
SET 4
Rutgers carried their momentum to the fourth set as they outhit the Bulls, .342 to .195. A key difference in the set was that the Scarlet Knight committed just six total errors to Buffalo's 10. Rutgers won the set, 25-20, to force the decisive fifth set.
SET 5
The Bulls jumped out to a 5-2 lead before extending it to 9-4, but a 7-0 run by Rutgers put them in front. Down by a pair, Buffalo utilized a 3-0 run to take a 12-11 lead and force a Rutgers timeout. The Bulls' defense showed up late with crucial blocks as they were within match points leading 14-11. The Scarlet Knights didn't wave the white flag as they tied the match at 14. The Bulls put the match away as both of the Canadian teammates in Matthews and Bell sealed the deal with kills on back-to-back points.
"It was an exciting match to end the weekend and our team showed a lot of grit getting the momentum back in that fifth set," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "We really focused on the scouting report and exploited a lot of holes in Rutgers defense, and made big plays in big moments! We learned a lot about our team this weekend and we are looking forward to preparing for this upcoming weekend on the road."
UP NEXT
The Bulls will travel to Milwaukee, Wisc. for the Marquette Invite from Friday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 7. They will face the Dayton Flyers, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Marquette Golden Eagles.
WEEKEND RESULTS
MVP: Paige Overcash, Liberty
Zoe Hall, Liberty
Carly O'Brien, Liberty
Manoela Forlin, Buffalo
Maddie Mitchell, Buffalo
Aspen Maxwell, Rutgers
Sara Disac, Marist
For all the latest on UB Volleyball, follow @ubvolleyball on Twitter/X, @ub_volleyball on Instagram and like the UB Women's Volleyball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Buffalo's offense started where it left off yesterday. Freshman Emerson Matthews recorded her first career double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs. She added three blocks for a total of 19 points, a team high. Manoela Forlin finished with 16 kills and 18.5 points to go with her .355 hitting percentage. Forlin also had a solo block and a block assist on the afternoon. Sydney Bell totaled 10 kills as she finished with 12 points. Maddie Mitchell had a great day for the Bulls as she had 46 assists and seven kills on 12 attempts. She finished with a .583 hitting percentage.
Middle blocker Tahya Shaw showed the team's depth as she chipped in seven kills on nine attempts.
Keira Kleidon finished the day with 14 digs.
As a team, the Bulls closed the day out with 10 total blocks to Rutger's five. On the attack, Buffalo had a .333 hitting percentage as they allowed Rutgers to hit just .255.
SET 1
Buffalo's offense could do no wrong from the start. They outhit the Scarlet Knights, .550 to .190, as they only had a pair of attack errors in the set. After trading points in the beginning, the Bulls never lost they lead after going up 5-4 as they managed to extend their lead to seven at 21-14.
SET 2
After taking the first set, 25-18, the Bulls continued their dominance in the second set. Buffalo managed to have a better hitting percentage in the set at .560, the Scarlet Knights improved their attack as they hit .381. With the well-balanced offense, Forlin and Matthews led the attack as they each had four kills. Rutgers took an early 2-0 lead, but it was nothing the Bulls couldn't handle as they then took a 4-3 lead and never looked back.
SET 3
Buffalo's offense stalled in the third set as they had a bleak .077 hitting percentage. Rutgers capitalized on the offensive struggles as they took the set, 25-20.
SET 4
Rutgers carried their momentum to the fourth set as they outhit the Bulls, .342 to .195. A key difference in the set was that the Scarlet Knight committed just six total errors to Buffalo's 10. Rutgers won the set, 25-20, to force the decisive fifth set.
SET 5
The Bulls jumped out to a 5-2 lead before extending it to 9-4, but a 7-0 run by Rutgers put them in front. Down by a pair, Buffalo utilized a 3-0 run to take a 12-11 lead and force a Rutgers timeout. The Bulls' defense showed up late with crucial blocks as they were within match points leading 14-11. The Scarlet Knights didn't wave the white flag as they tied the match at 14. The Bulls put the match away as both of the Canadian teammates in Matthews and Bell sealed the deal with kills on back-to-back points.
"It was an exciting match to end the weekend and our team showed a lot of grit getting the momentum back in that fifth set," stated Head Coach Scott Smith. "We really focused on the scouting report and exploited a lot of holes in Rutgers defense, and made big plays in big moments! We learned a lot about our team this weekend and we are looking forward to preparing for this upcoming weekend on the road."
UP NEXT
The Bulls will travel to Milwaukee, Wisc. for the Marquette Invite from Friday, Sept. 5 through Sunday, Sept. 7. They will face the Dayton Flyers, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Marquette Golden Eagles.
WEEKEND RESULTS
- Friday, Aug. 29 | Liberty 3, Marist 0
- Friday, Aug. 29 | Rutgers 3, Marist 1
- Friday, Aug. 29 | Liberty 3, Buffalo 0
- Saturday, Aug. 30 | Buffalo 3, Marist 1
- Saturday, Aug. 30 | Liberty 3, Rutgers 2
- Sunday, Aug. 31 | Buffalo 3, Rutgers 2
MVP: Paige Overcash, Liberty
Zoe Hall, Liberty
Carly O'Brien, Liberty
Manoela Forlin, Buffalo
Maddie Mitchell, Buffalo
Aspen Maxwell, Rutgers
Sara Disac, Marist
For all the latest on UB Volleyball, follow @ubvolleyball on Twitter/X, @ub_volleyball on Instagram and like the UB Women's Volleyball Facebook page.
Click here for ticket information.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Team Stats
RU
UB
Kills
60
59
Errors
25
16
Attempts
137
129
Hitting %
.255
.333
Points
72.0
78.0
Assists
57
54
Aces
7
9
Blocks
5
10
Game Leaders
Kills
16
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
15
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
10
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OPP
/ Women's VolleyballOH/RS
/ Women's Volleyball
DS
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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