UNION, N.J. (10/2/21) – Kayla Thornton totaled 24 kills and posted a .526 hitting percentage over two matches as the Kean University women's volleyball team swept a Tri-Match with Hunter College and SUNY New Paltz on Saturday afternoon.

Kean 3, Hunter 0
Anne Beckemeyer and Thornton combined for 20 kills as the Cougars (6-9) swept the Hawks (2-7) in the opening match of the afternoon.

Beckemeyer posted a .444 hitting percentage, while Thornton posted a .643 percentage in the victory. The Cougars hit .264 for the match and held Hunter to a .074 hitting percentage.

Kean opened the match hitting .429 in the 25-11 set one victory. Thornton, Beckemeyer, and Ashley Smith combined for 13 of the Cougars' 20 kills in set one.In set two, Thornton added another six kills on seven swings as Kean posted a 25-16 victory.  In set three, Beckemeyer added four more kills as the Cougars won 25-21.

Smith finished with seven kills and three digs, while Kylie Brua handed out 29 assists. On defense, Amanda DeLio finished with a career-high 24 digs.  

Kean 3, New Paltz 1
Thornton, Smith, and Taylor Micheaux combined for 39 of the Cougars 54 kills as Kean (7-9) recorded a 3-1 victory over the Hawks (8-8) in the nightcap.

The Cougars hit .238 for the match and held New Paltz to a .059 hitting percentage.

Kean won the first two sets with a very even offense. Four different Cougars posted at least three kills in set one and four different Cougars posted at least two kills in set two.

After surrendering the third set, despite posting a higher hitting percentage, Kean bounced back with a 25-21 set four victory.  Smith posted six kills, while Thornton added four in the close-out set.

Brua posted a double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs, while Sedona Gaard collected 17 digs.

Head Coach Don Perkins and the Cougars will return to action in Madison, N.J. on Saturday, Oct. 9^th for a tri-match with FDU-Florham and Saint Elizabeth beginning at 12:00 p.m.