Union, N.J. (9/5/26) – The Kean University women's volleyball team split in Saturday action defeating Penn State Harrisburg in straight sets while falling to nationally ranked University of Wisconsin Whitewater, 3-0.
Kean 3, Harrisburg 0 (27-25, 25-21, 25-22)
The first set was a true seesaw affair, tying eight times down the stretch. Knotted at 25-all, kills from Cayley Elena Morrison and Ashley Torok sealed the set one win.
The Cougars trailed for more than half of the second stanza before taking the lead for the first time at 15-14 thanks to back-to-back kills from Morrison. The Lions would force one more tie down the stretch, but Kean was able to hold on to the slim advantage and provide five of the last seven points of the set. Emma Akesson collected two kills in the span.
With Keira Abrusci serving, the Cougars were able to take a 9-4 lead early in what would be the final set. Kean pushed out to a nine-point lead (20-11) but the Lions didn't go away quietly, rallying all the way back to 24-22. Morrison stopped the threat and closed out the opener with her 15th kill of the day.
Morrison had a match-high 15 kills, hitting .429. Torok netted 10 kills and nine digs and Annabelle Valencia recorded four aces and a match-high 23 digs.
Whitewater 3, Kean 0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-23)
The Warhawks went up 3-0 before the Cougars rolled off four straight to take their only lead of the first set. Kean pulled within one (17-16) but UWW scored three straight to give themselves enough of a gap to finish up set one.
Whitewater controlled the second set from start to finish, recording five aces and three blocks to push ahead 2-0.
Kean responded and jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage in the third. The teams traded leads along the way before the Warhawks took the lead for good, using a 6-2 run late to secure the win.
Torok led Kean with nine kills while Valencia added 17 digs.
The Cougars enjoy a short break before traveling to Stevens for a trimatch next Saturday.
