UNION, N.J. (11/2/21) – Kayla Thornton finished with 16 kills and posted a .448 hitting percentage as the fourth seed Kean University women's volleyball team advanced in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament with a 3-0 straight sets sweep of fifth seed Rutgers-Camden on Tuesday evening.

Ashley Smith and Taylor Micheaux both tallied seven kills for the Cougars who improve to 16-11 overall and advance to Thursday's NJAC semifinals against Rowan. Isabella Choice finished with eight kills for the Scarlet Raptors who fall to 20-9 overall.

The opening set saw 12 ties and six lead changes as Thornton, Micheaux and Morgan Hall combined for 12 kills. Kean trailed 19-16 late, but closed it out with a 9-2 run for the 25-21 victory. Hall recorded two kills during the run.

The middle set saw the Cougars trail by three, before using a 13-1 run to open things up at 17-8. Thornton smacked seven kills on nine swings in the 25-13 victory.

The final set saw Kean's early 13-6 advantage erased as Camden stormed back to even the set at 19-19. The Cougars ended the match with a 6-1 run that included three kills from Thornton.

Kean hit. 210 for the match, while holding Camden to a .104 hitting percentage.

Hall and Anne Beckemeyer both tallied five kills apiece, while Kylie Bura handed out 35 assists. On defense, Sedona Gaard collected 16 digs and Amanda DeLio posted 11.

Head Coach Don Perkins and the Cougars will return to action in Glassboro, N.J. on Thursday, Nov. 4^th, against the top seed Profs of Rowan University in an NJAC semifinal match beginning at 7:00 p.m.