HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Drew University women's volleyball team competed in its third tri-match of the season against a pair of formidable opponents on Saturday at Stevens Institute of Technology.
 
The Rangers opened the day with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-8, 25-23) loss to Tufts University before dropping a 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-15) decision to Stevens.
 
It was the first match in team history against Tufts, which won 3-0 in both of its matches on Saturday to improve to 6-1 on the season.
 
Senior Marissa Guajardo posted six kills to lead the way versus Tufts while freshman Cristina Coombs distributed 14 assists. First-year Coco Otto added 10 digs against the Jumbos.
 
Despite trailing two sets to none and facing a 10-3 deficit in the third set, the Rangers refused to go quietly. They pulled to within one on five occasions and eventually tied the match at 23-23 following a 5-1 run, which included three straight kills from Guajardo. However, the Jumbos clinched the match with a kill and an ace.
 
Against Stevens – the defending MAC Freedom Conference champion - sophomore Lindsey Millis paced the Rangers with 12 kills while junior Alyssa Rachwal posted a double-double with 21 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore Aidyn Stone added 19 digs.
 
The opening set was Drew's closest against Stevens, as neither side led by more than three. A 5-1 Ranger run, powered by three kills from senior Inaya Stanford, put Drew up 22-19; however, the Ducks ended the set on a 6-1 run.
 
The Rangers continue their season on Wednesday, when they host the United States Merchant Marine Academy at 7 p.m. in a non-conference affair.