JERSEY CITY, N.J. (2/21/21) – Jared Ray and Seth Russell combined for 31 kills as the #13 Kean University men's volleyball team swept New Jersey City University, 3-0 (25-18, 28-26, 25-19) in straight sets for their first victory of the season on Sunday afternoon.

Ray finished with 19 kills, while Russell added 12 as the Cougars improve to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Brandon DaSilva finished with nine kills for the Gothic Knights who fall to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC.

In set one, Kean hit a match-high .538 hitting percentage with Duncan Beilke and Russell each recording five kills with no errors. Ray led the Cougars in the opening set with six kills on 11 swings and just one error.

The second set saw NJCU edge Kean on hitting percentage (.242-.238), but the Cougars needed extra points to get the job done. After reaching set point, the Gothic Knights rallied back with four straight points to take a 25-24 lead. The Cougars trailed 26-25 before ending the set with three straight points, including two kills from newcomer Alex Overhoff.   

The final set saw Ray carry Kean to the victory as the sophomore put down eight kills on 14 swings. Russell chipped in three kills and four digs as the Cougars collected 11 digs in the third set alone.

Luke Frankenfield totaled 35 assists and seven digs, while Russell added seven digs in the process. Jonathan Meyer finished with five digs and four assists, while Maxwell Thompson recorded five blocks.

Head Coach Charlie Ginex and the Cougars will return to action on Thursday, Mar. 11^th, in Immaculata, Pa. against the Mighty Macs of Immaculata University for two matches beginning at 5:00 p.m.