UNION, NJ -- Rowan suffered a 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-21) defeat by the narrowest of margins at Kean on Tuesday night in an NJAC matchup.

The two teams battled through 26 ties and 15 lead changes in the three sets as no lead was greater than eight points throughout the match.

Rowan finishes with a 3-5 NJAC record along with Montclair State and Rutgers-Camden, but will finish as the #5 seed due to league tie-breakers in the six-team conference tournament. The Profs will open NJAC Championship play at William Paterson on November 7th at 7 p.m.

Jena Kaul totaled 11 kills while Maya Iovacchini added nine. Sydni Greenwood, along with Isabel Kirchner and Ciara Bradley each contributed two blocks. Rookie Nia Ipecker kicked in 12 digs and a season-best six aces.

For the Cougars, Ashley Smith had a match-high 12 kills with teammate Cayley Elena Morrison registering 11 kills and four blocks.

The Profs trailed 17-11 in the first set, but battled back and would take a late 22-21 lead. Both squads traded points until Kean got the last two, capped by a kill from Morrison to go up 1-0. Ipecker's ace in the second set gave Rowan an 11-8 advantage, but Kean found its way back on top, taking a lead (18-17) they would not relinquish.

The third set alone featured 11 ties and six lead changes. The Cougars used three points in a row to snap an 11-11 score and hold off the Profs to cement the score.

Rowan will play in a tri-match on Saturday at Drew against the host Rangers and Stevens to close out the regular season.