MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University volleyball team pushed past Montclair State University on Tuesday in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action, winning by a final score of 3-1.
The Profs move to 11-7 (2-2 NJAC) on the season and the Red Hawks fall to 7-5 (2-2 NJAC).
The Brown and Gold built an early 8-4 lead in the opening set after scoring five straight points. After two Montclair State errors, middle hitter
Lauren Horbacewicz (so. Toms River, NJ/Toms River E.) and outside hitter
Erin Keegan (sr. Fairfield, NJ/West Essex Reg.) smashed down back-to-back kills, followed by an ace from defensive specialist
Kristin Akin (sr. Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon). Rowan maintained the lead for the rest of the first to win, 25-17.
The Profs stumbled in the second, as they fell late in the set to the Red Hawks, 25-22. Rowan bounced back in the third, winning 25-21. The Brown and Gold took a sizeable 7-2 advantage over Montclair State. Outside hitter
Kailey Gallagher (jr. Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) and outside hitter
Megan Jacobi (jr. Nazareth, PA/Nazareth Area) scored two points each, followed by block from Jacobi and Horbacewicz and a Red Hawks error. Montclair State battled back late to trail, 20-19. After a Profs' error, outside hitter Leah Higgins (fr. Leonia, NJ/Leonia) and middle hitter Jillian Wilson (jr. Voorhees, NJ/Eastern) notched back-to-back kills. The Brown and Gold buckled down and finished off the Red Hawks by scoring the final three points of the set.
Rowan won the fourth and final set, 25-23 over Montclair State. The score was tied early, but the Profs pulled ahead 10-6 after a four-point swing. Keegan started the run with a kill, followed a Red Hawk error. Libero
Emma Cormican (so. Wallingford, PA/Strath Haven) served an ace, then Keegan had the final point of the streak with a kill. Montclair State gave one last push late to tie the game at 18. The Profs traded points back-and-forth but were able to edge out the Red Hawks.
The Rowan offense finished the night with a collective .211 hitting percentage. Jacobi ended with 12 kills, while Gallagher added 10. Middle hitter
Jamie Shirtz (sr. Mendham, NJ/West Morris Mendham) tallied eight kills on a .583 hitting percentage, while Horbacewicz recorded eight kills on a .313 hitting percentage.
Keegan amassed a game-high 22 digs and Akin added 14. Setter
Alaina Santacroce (fr. Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) dished 22 assists, followed by setter
Tori Mock (so. Chadds Ford, PA/Archmere Academy) with 19.
The Rowan volleyball team travels to Glenside, PA for a pair of games against the University of Valley Forge at 1 p.m. and Arcadia University at 3 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 29.
