Women’s Volleyball Captures Second Straight NJAC Championship with Sweep of Montclair State

UNION, N.J. (11/3/18)- Zoe Strozewski finished with 12 kills and Head Coach Don Perkins recorded his 200th career victory as the third seeded Kean University women's volleyball team captured their second straight New Jersey Athletic Conference championship with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-15, 25-13) straight sets sweep of fourth seeded Montclair State University on Saturday afternoon.

Brett Harper totaled eight kills and 11 digs for the Cougars who improve to 19-15 overall and will await Monday's selection show to find out where they are going in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Women's Volleyball championship tournament. Carly Waterman tallied nine kills for the Red Hawks who finish their season at 20-10 overall.

This marks just the second time in program history that the Cougars have won back-to-back championships, the last time came during the 1994 and 1995 seasons under Head Coach Bridget White.

Perkins also becomes just the second coach in program history to win back-to-back titles and record 200 wins. Those accolades also go to the aforementioned White.

MSU opened the first set with strong energy and a 7-2 run for a 10-6 advantage. The Red Hawks eventually lost their momentum after two questionable calls allowed the Cougars to regain their balance and recover. Kean went point for point with MSU before ending the set with a 6-2 run.

Kean dominated the second set with a .375 hitting percentage and just two errors. The Cougars held a close 9-8 advantage, but closed the set with a 12-5 run that included Harper serving for the final five points. Kean carried that momentum into the final set as the Cougars hit .235 with just five errors. Kean sprinted out to a 7-2 lead and never looked back

Vikki Stec totaled seven kills and four block assists, while Jesse Larkin finished with five kills, nine digs, six block assists and two aces. Brianna Calvano totaled 30 assists, four kills, four digs, three block assists and two aces, while Andrea Antal added five kills. Kortnee Nelson collected 11 digs in the sweep.

Coach Perkins and the Cougars will tune into Monday's NCAA selection show to see where and who they will battle in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The show selection begins at 12:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.