NEWARK, N.J. (3/16/21) – Jared Ray finished with 20 kills and posted a .432 hitting percentage as the Kean University men's volleyball team was swept by #5 Rutgers-Newark, 3-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship on Tuesday.

Andrew Zaleck totaled 18 kills for the Scarlet Raiders who finish the NJAC slate at 2-0, while improving to 4-1 in the Continental Volleyball Conference. Zach Gerken recorded 23 assists for the Cougars who finish the NJAC slate at 1-1, while falling to 2-1 in the CVC.

Ray tallied nine kills in the opening set as the Cougars posted a .258 hitting percentage. An 8-2 run vaulted Newark in front at 15-8, before Kean answered with a 7-3 run to cut the lead to 18-15. That would be the closest the Cougars would get as they fell, 25-21.

Ray added another five kills on 11 swings as Newark opened with a 14-5 run and didn't look back capturing set two by a score of 25-15.

Ray finished his night by adding another six kills in the final set as the Scarlet Raiders used an early 5-2 run and then extended it to as large as 10 before the final point was scored.

JD Ouellette totaled nine digs, while Ray collected five. Ray tallied his 300^th career kills, while Russell recorded his 250^th. Gerken is on pace for 1000 career assists as the senior now stands at 943.

Head Coach Charlie Ginex and the Cougars will return to action tomorrow, Wednesday, Mar. 17^th, hosting the #5 Scarlet Raptors of Rutgers-Newark at 6:00 p.m.