Union, N.J. (9/21/21) – The Kean University women's volleyball team pushed past visiting William Paterson University in straight sets on Tuesday evening in NJAC action.

Kayla Thornton led the Cougars with nine kills and 13 points as the Cougars improved to 2-0 in conference play and 5-5 overall.

Dakota Apicella had a match-high 12 kills for the Pioneers who fell to 0-2 in the NJAC and 6-5 overall.

Kean never trailed in the first set, leading by as many as nine in cruising to an early 1-0 lead.  The Cougars looked to be repeating the same fate in the second set, but the Pioneers rallied back on two occasions (20-18) and (24-23), but a WP attack error ended the threat, giving Kean a 2-0 advantage.

The Pioneers pulled within two (13-11) in the final set, but the Cougars powered down the stretch, rolling off five straight points along the way to give themselves a cushion on their way to the straight set win.

Ashley Smith collected eight kills and 12 digs while Sedona Gaard added seven kills and 14 digs.  Libero Amanda DeLio tallied 17 digs and setter Gwen Hangey registered 32 assists along with five aces.

Kean returns to action on Thursday when they travel to Montclair State University.