Freshman Mackenzie Michaels and her teammates knew they would be in for their toughest test of the season, and that's exactly what they got Monday night when they emerged a 3-1 winner over visiting Raritan Valley in a battle of Region XIX powers.

The Runners survived an intense match, winning the first two sets, 28-26 and 27-25, losing the third set 25-17, before clinching the win in the fourth set, 25-21. Coach Rebecca Pierson's team improved to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in Region XIX while RV dropped to 10-5 overall and 7-1 in region competition.

Michaels, who has played setter this Fall, saw a different twist in her role when she moved up to the hitter position -- and she performed well with clutch play at the net, especially in the clinching set won by RCSJ 25-21. Her superb play allowed the Runners to take a 21-15 lead before her teammates hung on.

"I had never played hitter before, but I tried it out in practice and did well with it, so the coach said go for it," Michaels said. "I was really pumped going in because I knew it would be a competitive game."

Outside hitter Devon Calhoun, a sophomore from Washington Township, also expected a tough fight with RV from start to finish.

"Raritan Valley was one of our hardest matches last season, and we knew they would bring it tonight," said Calhoun. "I'm glad to see how well we worked together and coming out with the win."

Next up for the Runners will be Brookdale Community College in a home match Wednesday in a 7 pm start.