Despite winning in nearly every statistical category, the WP Women’s Volleyball team dropped their matchup against Kean University in four sets on September 30 at Hardwood Arena in Union, NJ.
After a strong first set, winning 25-15, the Pioneers had all the momentum in the world, capitalizing on an ace from freshman phenom Riley Elliot.
Kristian Glenn had four kills in the first set alone. A big question for Coach Kevin Rodgers and company is who would be replacing graduate student from a season ago, Hope Arce-Reed? Glenn now has over 100 on the season, really pushing for that role in the near future.
The second set between the Pioneers and the Cougars was cutthroat; William Paterson was up 24-21, attempting to close out the set after kills by junior classmates Ceclila Miller and Abby Houpt, and the Cougars rallied back.
After senior Abigail Hayth’s service error, Kean sophomore libero Arianna Vargas exploded for three offensive points, giving the Cougars the lead.
A kill by Riley Elliot gave the Pioneers life to tie up the set, but Kean’s determination paid off immensely. Freshman Ashley Torok for the Cougars added a kill to give them the advantage, and an offensive error from the Pioneers ultimately gave Kean the set.
In the third set, both squads were knotted at 21, a kill from Junior Cayley Elena Morrision opened up for the Cougars to tally four consecutive volleys, winning the third set 25-21.
Morrison contributed three of those points as junior server Annabelle Valencia added on an ace.
After a heated final set, both NJAC powerhouses went down to the wire; a kill by freshman Emeli Giesler gave WP a chance to be one away from the fifth set.
Kean showed no mercy down the stretch, back-to-back. Kills by Ashley Torok put Kean out in front, and an ace by All-NJAC Honoree senior Aspen O’Brien closed the game out for the Cougars.
The Pioneers won seven straight going into this contest as they left Union in the losing column.
William Paterson Women’s Volleyball will be back in action on Saturday, October 4, in Stevenson, Md., as they face off against the University of Mary Washington and Stevenson University in a tri-match.
