Montclair, NJ – Sometimes you need a break and the Montclair State volleyball team got one Thursday evening as the Red Hawks held off four match points in the fourth set, rallying for a 3-2 victory over Kean University at the Panzer Athletic Center.

Junior NIKKI SENOPOULOS had 13 kills with COURTNEY MATLOCK and NATALIA MAJKUT adding 11 each as the Red Hawks (13-7, 4-2 NJAC) won their first five-set decision in four tries this season in addition to snapping a five-match losing streak against the Cougars (14-15, 3-3 NJAC). Montclair State has won four straight.

MSU took the match, it's first versus Kean since 2010, winning the first set 25-19 before falling behind after 27-25 and 25-23 losses. Montclair State won the final two sets 26-24 and 15-10.

Senior Kassie Hernandez registered a match-high 18 kills along with 14 digs for Kean, which had its four match winning streak snapped.

After the teams split the first two sets, the Red Hawks jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the third only to see Kean whittle the lead away with a 13-2 run. Hernandez had four kills during the spurt including a game-tying one at 16-16 before an attack error put the Cougars in front. MSU answered back and grabbed a 21-19 lead off a service error. Vikki Stec followed with two straight kills tying the set at 21-21 and, after trading points, Nicollette Poveromo put Kean in front 23-22 with an ace. MADISON MAUTE forged the fifth tie with a kill for Montclair however Stec countered with two kills as Kean took the set and the lead in the match with the 25-23 win.

The fourth set proved to be a wild affair with 10 tied and five lead changes. Sara Ridgway put Kean at match point with a kill, however the Red Hawks stayed alive as Matlock put down a kill and KIMBERLY MATLOCK served an ace making the score 24-22. Following an attack error by the Cougars, the turning point in the match shifted. Kean appeared to get the match-clinching point as a Montclair player was called for running into the net. The point was awarded to Kean but after an officials' consultation the point was then replayed. Montclair took full advantage of its new life and three straight Kean attack errors to complete a six-point close out as the match went to the fifth set.

Brett Harper, who finished with eight kills, put Kean in front 7-5 in the decisive fifth set but the Red Hawks rallied with six straight points to go back in front. Majkut had three kills including the final one for an 11-7 MSU advantage. The Cougars got back to 12-10 on a block by Hernandez but Majkut answered with her 11^th kill making the score 13-10. Freshman ASHLEY GRIFFITH served up an ace for match point which the Red Hawks would get on a Kean's 36^th error of the match.

Senopoulos posted a double-double with 27 digs while Maute finished with eight kills and seven blocks. COURTNEY LEPORE had six kills with Kim Matlock recording 45 assists. Griffith and DANIELLE OLCESE had 10 and nine digs, respectively.

Joelle Tondi had 11 kills with Stec posting nine along with 11 digs.  Liberso Lisa DeGroot finished with 20 digs.

Montclair State is now off until Tuesday, October 20 when it heads to Wayne, NJ to face William Paterson in an NJAC matchup at 7:00 pm.