GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University volleyball team cruised past New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) foe Kean University, 3-0 on Tuesday.
 
The Profs move to 13-8 (3-2 NJAC), while the Cougars (12-8, 4-1 NJAC) suffer their first conference loss on the season. 
 
Rowan started hot in the opening set with a pair of four-point runs to take an early 8-2 advantage. Middle hitter Jamie Shirtz (sr. Mendham, NJ/West Morris Mendham) hammered down the first kill for the Brown and Gold, followed by a block by outside hitter Kailey Gallagher (jr. Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) and Shirtz, a Kean error and an ace by outside hitter Erin Keegan (sr. Fairfield, NJ/West Essex Reg.). After a Cougar point, the Profs capitalized on three straight errors by Kean and Gallagher recorded a kill to end the second streak. Rowan built a healthy 17-11 lead midway through the first after a three-point swing. Shirtz started the rally with a kill, followed by a Cougars' handling error. Outside hitter Megan Jacobi (jr. Nazareth, PA/Nazareth Area) ended the run with a point. The Profs held onto their advantage in the first stanza, winning by a final score of 25-21.
 
The Brown and Gold trailed in the second 7-5 after Kean notched three points. Outside hitter Brett Harper (sr. Vero Beach, FL/St. Edwards) contributed a kill, followed by two errors on the Profs. Rowan bounced back as it claimed an 11-10 lead on a four-point rally. Outside hitter Alexa Gasser (so. Broomall, PA/Villa Maria Academy) tallied the first point, followed by an ace from defensive specialist Kristin Akin (sr. Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon). Rowan benefitted the next two points on a pair of Cougar errors. The set remained close until the Brown and Gold picked up the pace to pull away and win, 25-18. 
 
It was a hard-fought final set, as both teams kept the score close early on.  Rowan jumped ahead 12-8, after three straight Kean errors. The Profs' offense locked down and notched three consecutive kills by Jacobi, middle hitter Lauren Horbacewicz (so. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.) and Gasser, to post a 15-9 advantage. The Cougars battled back to tie the game at 20. Kean capitalized on two Profs errors and then middle hitter Jesse Larkin (jr. Redwood City, CA/Woodside) added a kill. After a Cougar service error, Larkin smashed down another point. Rowan buckled down and rallied off four straight points to pull ahead, 24-20. The match was ended on a kill from Gallagher to win, 25-21. 
 
Jacobi led the offense with nine kills on a .296 hitting percentage, while Shirtz and Gasser each finished with five kills and a .625 hitting percentage. Setter Tori Mock (so. Chadds Ford, PA/Archmere Academy) paced the Profs with 16 assists and setter Alaina Santacroce (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) recorded 12. Keegan stood strong in the back row as she amassed a game-high 18 digs, followed by libero Emma Cormican (so. Wallingford, PA/Strath Haven) with 10. 
 
The Rowan volleyball team stays in Glassboro for the Rowan Quad match on Friday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 6.