UNION, N.J. (1/22/14) – The No. 13 Kean University men's volleyball team made its 2014 debut on Wednesday night in a 3-0 loss to Division I Rutgers-Newark. Juniors Kyle Farley and Bez Arslani led the Cougars with eight kills and 11 points each.

Kean (0-1) jumped to the early advantage, and led for the first half of the first set. Newark tied it at 13-all, but Ron Dunn ripped off a pair of aces to put the Cougars ahead again by two. Rutgers battled back to take the lead at 17-16 thanks to the serving of Jack Fredricks.

The Raiders were able to maintain that advantage through the end of the first set, taking it 25-22. Ed Jedziniak and Farley led Kean with three kills each, while Fredricks had three kills and two aces in the first set for Rutgers (2-1).

Arslani (pictured left) paced Kean with a pair of kills in the opening points of set two, and Kean nursed a one-point lead through the first 19 volleys. It was the same script as the first set, however, as the Raiders clawed back to the front midway through the set. This time, Rutgers was able to pull away for a 25-19 victory. Fredricks served seven points in one stretch during the set.

Kean made things interesting in the final set of the evening. The Cougars were down as much as 20-15 but fought to get within one at 24-23.  But Fredricks put the finishing touches on an impressive performance with the match-ending kill on the line to seal the win for Rutgers. The freshman ended the night with eight kills and 11 total points to lead the visitors.

Dunn finished with 22 assists and Josh Haimann added eight for the Cougars. Michael Fox had eight digs and Farley, Arslani and Tommy Rosario each had four blocks for Kean. Wednesday also marked the first match as head coach for Kean's Charlie Ginex.

The Cougars will travel to Juniata College this weekend for a three-match tournament against Hunter College, No. 14 Elmira College and the host Eagles, who are ranked No. 3 in the nation.