Union, N.J. (10/11/25) – The Kean University women's volleyball team split in tri-match action on Saturday, defeating Illinois College and falling to Misericordia University.

Kean 3, Illinois 2 (25-18, 25-16, 22-25, 23-25, 7-15)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Cougars (16-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Lady Blues battled and tied things up to force a deciding fifth set.  In the final stanza, Kean took an early 7-1 lead.  Illinois pulled within one (8-7) but the Cougars rolled off seven straight behind the serving of senior Aspen O'Brien and swings of rookie Ashley Torok.  Torok registered four straight kills and O'Brien closed things out with three straight aces.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Torok finished with 14 kills, three aces and seven digs.

Cayley Elena Morrison led all players with 15 kills, three solo blocks and a .448 attack percentage.

O'Brien recorded eight aces, nine digs and 37 assists.

Misericordia 3, Kean 1 (25-16, 21-25, 25-27, 22-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

In the battle of Cougars, Kean took an early 1-0 lead.  Misericordia rode the arm of Maggie Duda in the second set, propelling to an early 9-0 lead.  Kean chipped away and closed the gap to one on several occasions down the stretch.  Jenna Schuda helped even the match at one-all with a kill, ace and assist to close out the set.

Set three turned into a see-saw battle as Misericordia broke through in extra time with a kill and another ace from Duda.

Misericordia (13-6) and Kean kept things close in what would be the final set as MU was able to rally for the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Torok registered 20 kills and 13 digs good for a double-double while Morrison ended the day with 18 kills (.600 hitting percentage) and four total blocks.  Aubre Adams had nine kills and O'Brien posted 45 assists.

UP NEXT:

Kean travels to Rutgers-Newark on Tuesday.