UNION, N.J. (9/13/22) –Taylor Micheaux finished with nine kills, seven aces, 11 digs and two block assists as the Kean University women's volleyball team rallied to defeat Montclair State University, 3-1 in their New Jersey Athletic Conference opener on Tuesday evening.

Ashley Smith posted 17 kills and nine digs for the Cougars who improve to 3-3 overall and 1-0 in the NJAC. Leah Higgins finished with 15 kills and six digs for the Red Hawks who fall to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the NJAC.

MSU took the first set 25-22, despite Kean posting a higher hitting percentage. Montclair jumped out to a 9-4 lead early as Kean couldn't recover from the early deficit.

In set two, the Cougars ran away with a 25-8 victory behind the play of Micheaux. The sophomore posted two kills, five aces, five digs and a block assist in the set. Kean held a slim 9-8 advantage before Micheaux served for the final 15 points.

In set three, the Cougars spread around the offense with Micheaux, Julia Vacca, Anne Beckemeyer, Smith and Morgan Hall all notching at least two kills apiece.  Smith totaled five kills on seven swings, while Hall posted three kills on five swings and no errors.

In set four, Kean notched a .316 hitting percentage and held MSU to a .047 hitting percentage. The Cougars were nearly perfect with 13 kills and one error on 38 swings. Hall, Smith, Vacca and Micheaux all recorded no errors.

Beckemeyer totaled seven kills, and six blocks, while Hall posted seven kills and a .412 hitting percentage. Vacca finished with six kills and five blocks, while Kylie Brua totaled 37 assists, nine digs, four blocks and two kills.

On defense, Sian Seeger (14), Madi DeMartini (12) and Micheaux (11) all notched double digit digs.

Head Coach Don Perkins and the Cougars will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 15^th, hosting the Mariners of USMMA at 7:00 p.m.