UNION, N.J. (1/17/20) – Jared Ray posted a match-high 14 kills as the Kean University men's volleyball team dropped its 2020 season opener to #6 Benedictine University, 3-0 in straight sets on the opening night of the Clash at Kean.
Nick Malak totaled 10 kills and eight digs for the Eagles who improve to 1-0 overall. Zach Gerken finished with 12 assists and four digs for the Cougars who fall to 0-1 overall.
Ray helped Kean stay within striking distance in the opening set as the freshman tallied six kills in the opening stanza. Benedictine maintained just a two-point lead at 20-18 after back-to-back kills by Ray and Luke Frankenfield. The Eagles answered by closing out the set with a 5-2 run.
The second set saw Kean climb back after falling behind 7-1 to start. The Cougars cut the deficit to 21-18 before the visitors used a 4-1 run to take the set, 25-19.
The final set saw the Eagles hit .500 while committing just two errors to run away with the sweep.
Seth Russell and Frankenfield both tallied three kills for the Cougars.
Head Coach Charlie Ginex and the Cougars will return to action tomorrow, Sat. Jan. 18th, hosting nationally-ranked Stevenson University at 1:00 p.m. and nationally-ranked Stevens at 5:00 p.m.
