MONTCLAIR, N.J. (9/17/19)  – Sedona Gaard posted a double-double with 14 kills and 18 digs as the Kean University women's volleyball team defeated Montclair State University, 3-2 in a five set thriller on Tuesday evening.

Jesse Larkin (10), Kayla Thornton (12), Zoe Strozewski (12) and Cailyn Ross (12) all tallied double-digit kills for the Cougars who improve to 8-5 overall and 1-0 in the NJAC. Carly Waterman totaled a double-double with 18 kills and 17 digs for the Red Hawks who fall to 5-3 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC.

After a back and forth contest, which saw MSU take the odd numbered sets and Kean capture the even numbered sets, the match entered the deciding fifth set. In the set, the Red Hawks held a slim lead before back-to-back errors forced Montclair to call a timeout with an 8-7 advantage. After the timeout, Kean collected three straight points, including a Thornton kill for the 10-9 lead. The Cougars remained in front until MSU called another timeout with a 13-10 deficit. The Red Hawks emerged from the timeout and scored three straight points, including back-to-back kills for Waterman, forcing Kean to call a timeout.

The defense would play a key role in the final two points as back-to-back assisted blocks helped the Cougars survive for their first conference victory.

Kean finished with a season-high 10 blocks in the victory, along with 74 digs and eight aces.

Brianna Calvano handed out a season-high 53 assists and added nine digs, while Kortnee Nelson finished with 18 digs. Michelle Froehlich also posted double-digit digs with 10.

Head Coach Don Perkins and the Cougars will return to action in Wenham, Mass. on Friday, Sept. 20th, against the Scots of Gordon College at 7:00 p.m.