Union, N.J. (10/27/21) – The Kean University and Rowan University women's volleyball teams battled it out with the Profs edging the Cougars in five sets, 3-2.

Rowan (22-5, 8-0 NJAC) took the first set behind the serving of Natalie Ogden.  Leading 15-10, Ogden served eight straight points with two aces in the span to put the Profs way ahead at 23-10. 

Kean (14-10, 5-3 NJAC) answered right back and took a quick 5-0 lead to start the second stanza.  The Cougars never trailed in the set, but that doesn't mean that Rowan made it easy.  With Kean ahead, 24-20, it was Ogden again behind the line who helped Rowan tie things up at 24-24.  The teams went toe-to-toe until Kean broke through at 28-26 with a kill from Morgan Hall and a Prof attack error.

The Cougars got ahead early in the third set and used that cushion down the stretch to pull away with a comfortable 25-18 set win to go ahead in the match, 2-1.

The fourth frame started off in back-and-forth action, but Rowan pulled away at the end, scoring six straight points to close out the set and set up the decisive fifth set.

Kean jumped on top 5-1 but a well-placed timeout reset things for the Profs who stormed back and knotted the game at six-all.  It was then a see-saw battle down the stretch as Rowan scored the final two points to break a 15-15 tie with a Kean error and a kill from Ogden.

Ogden finished with a match-high 24 kills and 18 digs while Brianna Newson added a double-double 16 kills and 10 digs.

For Kean, Ashley Smith had a team-high 17 kills while Sedona Gaard and Amanda DeLio combined for 44 digs.

Kean plays again on Friday when they host Gwynedd Mercy at 7 p.m.