Montclair, NJ – The second-seeded Montclair State volleyball looks to punch its ticket to the NJAC Championship has they host third-seeded Kean University in the NJAC Semifinals Tuesday.


ON THE AIR
YouTube – Red Hawk Sports Network
 

THE TEAMS:
Montclair State received a bye into the semifinals after finishing 4-1 in the NJAC this season. Sophomore libero was a two-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection while SKYLAR KOWALSKI was named the NJAC Rookie of the Week after notching 18 kills and seven blocks, including 10 kills and five blocks against Camden. Kean downed William Paterson in straight sets to advance to the semis. Kean (4-2) was paced by kills each from Morgan Hall and Kayla Thornton. In the previous meeting this season, Montclair earned a 3-0 win as LEAH HIGGINS led the way with nine kills.
 

COACHES:
Don Perkins (12^th season): 230-164
Eddie Stawinski (10^th season): 179-116
 

KEY PLAYERS:
 
Kean
Kayla Thornton (So., MH, Little Egg Harbor, NJ)
46 kills, 9 blocks
 
Kylie Brua (Fr., S, Mundelein, Ill.)
107 assists, 9 service aces, 33 digs
 
Ashley Smith (Fr., OH, Lake Villa, Ill.)
40 kills, 4 blocks, 25 digs
 
Montclair State
LEAH HIGGINS (Jr., 5-10, OH, Leonia, NJ)
52 kills, 13 blocks, 39 digs
 
MADDIE VALKO (So., 5-7, L, Montvale, NJ)
93 digs, 19 assists, 6 aces
 
SKYLAR KOWALSKI (Fr., 6-2, MB, Jackson, NJ)
35 kills, 11 blocks, 6 service aces
 

ALL-TIME SERIES (Kean leads 30-15)
The Cougars have won 2/3 of the all-time meetings, but Montclair picked up the win earlier this season. Kean had won the last five meetings, and MSU has not won at home since November 5, 2015. Montclair has fared better inside Panzer, going 8-11 as opposed to 6-13 on the road.


LAST 5 MEETINGS:
March 9, 2021: MSU 3, Kean 0
September 17, 2019: Kean 3, MSU 2
November 3, 2018: Kean 3, MSU 0
September 11, 2018: Kean 3, MSU 0
November 2, 2017: Kean 3, MSU 0