GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University volleyball team won in three straight sets over New Jersey City University on Tuesday.
 
The Profs move to 16-13 and 5-2 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action, the Gothic Knights drop to 8-15 and 0-7 in conference play.
 
Before the match, the volleyball program honored three seniors, outside hitter Erin Keegan (sr. Fairfield, NJ/West Essex Reg.), defensive specialist Kristin Akin (sr. Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) and middle hitter Jamie Shirtz (sr. Mendham, NJ/West Morris Mendham) for their contributions to the team over the past four years. 
 
Rowan trailed for most of the opening set and was down, 20-10. The Profs picked up the pace and scored seven straight points to cut the deficit to 20-17. The Brown and Gold benefited from three New Jersey City errors, followed by a kill from setter Tori Mock (so. Chadds Ford, PA/Archmere Academy (DE)) and three more Gothic Knights' errors. Both sides traded points before Rowan rallied five straight to take a 23-22 advantage. The Profs held onto the lead notching the final two points off a New Jersey City error and a kill from Keegan to win, 25-23. 
 
The Brown and Gold started hot taking an early 4-0 lead. After a Gothic Knights error, Shirtz smashed down a kill, followed by a block from opposite hitter Kailey Gallagher (jr. Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) and another point from Shirtz. The Profs kept rolling as they used back-to-back three-point runs to pull away, 15-6. Rowan put the game out of reach when it scored six straight to post a 21-8 advantage. The Profs' first point was off a New Jersey City error, followed by a kill from Keegan. The last four points came from three Gothic Knights errors and a kill from Shirtz. New Jersey City attempted to fight back late by scoring two straight, but outside hitter Megan Jacobi (jr. Nazareth, PA/Nazareth Area) ended set two with a kill to win, 25-15. 
 
Each side battled it out in the final frame, as the score was kept close early on. Rowan pulled ahead, 12-8 after a five-point swing. Shirtz ignited the run with back-to-back kills, followed by a pair of Gothic Knights errors and a kill from Gallagher. New Jersey City answered scoring three straight to trail, 12-11. Outside hitter Yaidetttive Vega (fr. Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) tallied the first point, then setter Shaylah Ware (sr. Newark, NJ/Science Park) served an ace and Vega smash down a kill. The Profs increased their lead after notching four consecutive points to post a 19-15 advantage. The set was closed out when Rowan produced the final five points to win, 25-17. 
 
Shirtz ended the match with nine kills on a .643 hitting percentage, while Jacobi recorded nine on a .333 hitting percentage. Mock paced the offense as she dished 15 assists and setter Alaina Santacroce (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) finished with eight. Akin racked up a game-high 12 digs, while Keegan and Santacroce each registered seven. 
 
For New Jersey City, opposite hitter Pamela Florimon (jr. Teaneck, NJ/Memorial), outside hitter Stephanie Duque (jr. North Bergen, NJ/Memorial) and Vega tallied six kills apiece. 
 
The Rowan volleyball team travels to Rutgers-Newark on Tuesday, Oct. 23, with the match set to start at 7 p.m.