GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University (10-5, 1-2 NJAC) volleyball team lost in a five-set thriller against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponent William Paterson University (10-1, 1-1 NJAC), 3-2.
The match was forced into a fifth and final set. The Brown and Gold took a 2-0 lead after middle hitter
Jamie Shirtz (sr. Mendham, NJ/West Morris Mendham) and outside hitter
Kailey Gallagher (jr. Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) notched back-to-back kills. The Pioneers locked down and claimed a 5-3 advantage. Middle hitter Alyson Toman (jr. Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) scored the first point, followed by a kill from middle hitter Christine Griffith (sr. Upper Saddle River, NJ/Northern Highlands Reg.). After a Profs' point, William Paterson capitalized on three straight points to take the lead. Each side battled it out to make the score 11 all. Rowan pulled ahead 13-11 after outside hitter
Megan Jacobi (jr. Nazareth, PA/Nazareth Area) smashed down two kills. William Paterson answered and broke off five additional points compared to the Profs one, to win the match 16-14.
Rowan fell behind early in the opening set losing, 25-16. The Brown and Gold controled the next two winning each by a score of 25-19 and 25-15. The Profs got edged out in the fourth by the Pioneers, as they scored the final two points to win, 25-23.
The Rowan offense was led by Gallagher and Shirtz who had 15 kills apiece. Middle hitter
Lauren Horbacewicz (so. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.) finished with 14 kills on a .500 hitting percentage. Setter
Tori Mock (so. Chadds Ford, PA/Archmere Academy) handed out 35 assists and setter
Alaina Santacroce (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) had 25. Libero
Emma Cormican (so. Wallingford, PA/Strath Haven) amassed an impressive 32 digs, while outside hitter
Erin Keegan (sr. Fairfield, NJ/West Essex Reg.) had 20. For the Pioneers, Toman had a game-high 21 kills and outside hitter Amanda Lembo (sr. North Haledon, NJ/DePaul Catholic) tallied 14. Setter Kendall Caruso (sr. Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) dished 46 assists and racked up 20 digs.
The Rowan University volleyball team stays at home for the Profs' tri-match on Saturday, Sept. 22 and faces Lebanon Valley College at 11 a.m. and Hunter College at 3 p.m.
