Wilkes-Barre, PA – The Montclair State volleyball claimed three-set victories over John Jay College and host Wilkes University Saturday afternoon.

The Red Hawks (7-7) have won three straight matches this week.

The Bloodhounds jumped out to a slim 14-11 advantage in the opening frame, but six of the following seven points went to MSU. The run was finished off a double-block from CARLY WATERMAN and SKYLAR KOWALSKI. The Red Hawks led 21-18, but John Jay went on a 5-1 rally to jump back in front by a point. A VICTORIA TENNON kill brought up set point, yet John Jay countered with two straight markers to bring up set point on their end. LEAH HIGGINS, GIANNA ARIAS, and Waterman finished the first set off with kills to give MSU a 1-0 lead.

The Red Hawks won the second and third sets 25-14 and used a 9-1 spurt in the second stanza to break the game open. The run helped the Red Hawks turn a three-point lead into a 10-point game. A service ace from LEAH CHIPMAN punctuated the rally. The Bloodhounds got within eight, but Waterman pinned down a set from KIARA POLANCO to extend the lead to two.

Montclair led 10-7 in the final frame before Chipman served up four straight points, including a pair of aces. John Jay closed to three, but Montclair took advantage of five consecutive unforced errors to open a double-digit lead. Kowalski ended the match with a big kill, aided by a blocking error from the Bloodhounds.

Waterman posted 10 kills, while Chipman handed out 29 assists. Erika Hoti tallied 10 kills for John Jay.

The Colonels took a 4-1 lead in the nightcap before six answered points handed Montclair the lead. Kowalski teamed up with Higgins for a rejection to cap off the spurt. Wilkes got within six after a setting error at 19-13, but Montclair notched six of the final eight markers to finish the opening game. This time it was Higgins who converted a Chipman set for the last point of the set.

Set two was highly contested, with neither side able to go up by more than three points. The Red Hawks led 18-15, but saw the lead evaporate thanks to kills from Jessica Salus and a pair from Hope Ousey. Wilkes grabbed a 23-22 advantage, but Montclair finished the frame off with three straight points. Higgins recorded a solo block to bring up set point before Arias slammed an over-pass down to give MSU a 2-0 lead.

Wilkes raced out to a 10-4 advantage in the final set, but Montclair rallied to pull in front by a point. Montclair once again used a big run, this time of seven points, to take the lead for good. Higgins tallied four consecutive kills during the rally to help Montclair take over. Wilkes got within three at 21-18, but the Red Hawks claimed the final four markers to complete the sweep.

Higgins hit a blistering .429 (10-1-21) while Waterman posted team-highs with 14 kills and 17 digs. Chipman once again was efficient at setter, tallying 32 helpers and six digs.

Montclair resumes NJAC play Tuesday as they travel to Rutgers-Newark for a 7 pm matchup.