Kean Volleyball Beats Stockton 3-2 to Secure NJAC Championship Spot

The Kean University women’s volleyball team secured a spot in the NJAC Championship for the second consecutive year after defeating Stockton University in a five-set match on Thursday night.

Kean won the contest 3-2, overcoming a two-set deficit to complete the comeback with set scores of 25-22, 22-25, 23-25, 25-14, and 16-14. According to a report from Kean University Athletics, the victory moves the Cougars deep into the post-season tournament.

The match was defined by a massive individual performance from Cayley Elena Morrison. Morrison recorded a match-high and career-high 25 kills, hitting .476 and contributing seven total blocks for a 30-point total.

While Kean dominated the offensive categories, the match was a seesaw battle of momentum. The Cougars opened with a strong 25-22 set, powered by a 17-kill effort, but Stockton responded by winning the next two sets to take a 2-1 lead.

The efficiency gap between the two teams became most apparent in the final two sets. Kean’s ability to tighten their defense and increase their attacking pressure allowed them to outpace Stockton during the critical closing moments.

Statistic	Kean University	Stockton University
Total Kills	71	50
Hitting Percentage	.231	.146
Assists	68	50
Digs	66	55

Kean’s offensive spread was supported by several key contributors. Ashley Torok provided 17 kills, Abigail Carpenter added 14, and Madison Hopkins contributed 12. The back-end stability was managed by Rae Marrero, who recorded 45 assists and 15 digs, while Annabelle Valencia led the defensive unit with 18 digs.

The energy changed during the fourth set. Kean limited Stockton to just 14 points, winning the frame 25-14 to force the deciding fifth set. In that final frame, Kean held off the Ospreys to secure the 16-14 win.

This victory moves the Cougars into a high-stakes matchup against the top-seeded Rowan University. The championship game is scheduled to take place this Saturday, November 14, at 5 p.m. in Glassboro, N.J.

For Kean, the momentum from this comeback will be essential as they face a top seed on the road. The ability to recover from a 2-1 set deficit suggests a level of resilience that will be tested against the Rowan University squad.

The Cougars will compete at Rowan University on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 5 p.m.