GUAYNABO, PR – Rowan got the 2024 season off on the right foot with a 3-1 (15-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-23) victory over Buffalo State at the 2024 Puerto Rico Invitational on Friday.

Double-digit kills from Jena Kaul (match-high 19) and Hutton Cordrey (13) helped put down a 50-18-164 (.195) hitting line. Setter Brooke Adams totaled 42 assists, seven digs, and a game-best four aces. Vanessa Hutchinson tallied up a game-high 22 digs.

The Bengals were led by Samantha Coakley's 17 kills. She and teammate Ella Wittman (15 kills) each recorded double-doubles (11 digs apiece).

After Buffalo State held a 16-7 kill advantage in the first set, the Profs rattled off 12 each in the second and third games before posting 19 in the fourth and deciding set.

Rowan held off a late Bengal push in the third set to go up 2-1.In the fourth, the teams combined for 12 ties and six lead changes as any lead by each squad was no more than five points. The Profs got out to an 8-3 edge before Buffalo State fought back to take a 20-19 lead. Kaul helped Rowan take the lead for good as the junior racked up four of the next five kills where she totaled eight in the frame including the match-decider for a 25-23 score and the first win on the year.

Tomorrow, the Profs will take on North Park at 1:30 p.m. followed by a match with Ohio Wesleyan at 5:30 p.m. to conclude the Puerto Rico trip.