Union, N.J. (3/17/21) – The Kean University men's volleyball team got back to even as they upset #5 Rutgers-Newark on Wednesday evening by defeating the Scarlet Raiders, 3-1.

After falling in straight sets to Rutgers-Newark last evening, and dropping the first set tonight, the Cougars (4-3, 3-1 CVC) rallied late in the second set with three straight points to turn a one point advantage into some breathing room.  Seth Russell got the spurt going with a kill and Alex Overhoff added two more for a 22-18 lead.  The Scarlet Raiders didn't give in and pulled within one (24-23) but a kill from Jared Rey (one of his match-leading 26 on the night, sealed the set win to even the match at one-all.

It was a see-saw affair in the early going of set three but Rutgers-Newark used short bursts to give themselves a cushion on multiple occasions.  The Scarlet Raiders were primed to take the set as they served set point (24-18) but the Cougars used a furious rally led behind the serving of Seth Russell to not only tie but take the lead (25-24).  A kill from Andrew Zaleck tied things right up but kills from Overhoff and Rey sealed the set win for Kean.

The fourth set with a complete back-and-forth affair with Kean edging the Scarlet Raiders down the stretch, breaking a 21-all deadlock with three kills from Rey and one more from Overhoff to complete the win.

The two teams have evened the season series and have two more matches next week against each other in conference play.

Rey added eight digs while Overhoff hit .563 with nine kills.  Derek Au registered 43 assists and 12 digs and teammate Duncan Beilke collected six blocks.

For the Scarlet Raiders (4-2, 3-1 CVC) Zaleck had 22 kills while Arvind Kumar tallied 15 kills and 17 digs.

Kean travels to Immaculata University on Saturday for a twinbill in CVC action.