UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – The Rutgers volleyball team dropped its 2002 season opener Friday evening at the Penn State Invitational to the host Nittany Lions by a score of 30-14, 30-10 and 30-16.

Rutgers (0-1) was led by preseason All-BIG EAST first-team selection Shalya Bush (Spokane, WA), who recorded 11 kills and four digs. Sophomore Stephanie Travioli (Arlington, TX) led the team with seven digs, while senior co-captain Pualani Tuyay (San Diego, CA) contributed 25 assists.

Penn State (1-0) was led by Cara Smith, who tallied 15 kills and nine total blocks, while Mishka Levy added 11 kills and six digs.

Rutgers will return to action with two matches tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 31. The squad will face Akron at 1:00 p.m., followed by a match-up with Quinnipiac at 4:00 p.m.