CNBNews

GLASSBORO, NJ -- Rowan cemented the top playoff seed in the NJAC Tournament for the second-consecutive season as the Profs took down visiting Kean, 3-1, on Tuesday on Senior Night here at Esbjornson Gymnasium.

Brianna Newson and Natalie Ogden combined to notch 27 of the team's 44 kills on the evening. Newson's 14 kills were a match high while Ogden added 13 kills and kicked in 12 digs for her 12th double-double on the season.


With the win, Rowan will earn a first-round bye and now will host an NJAC Tournament Semifinal match here on Thursday, November 3rd, against the winner of #4 Montclair State or #5 Rutgers-Camden.

The Cougars got 13 kills from Taylor Micheaux and 10 from Anne Beckemeyer, respectively with setter Gwen Hangey posting a double-double of her own (36 assists/10 digs).

After Kean took the first set, 25-21, Rowan started to find its groove late in the second. Leading 17-14, the home team rattled off the next seven points to even things up. The momentum carried into the third, as a 14-1 run opened up a one-point lead early, ending at 25-16.

Newson turned it on in the fourth set, registering six kills in the frame, helping the team hit over.300 for the third set in a row. The Profs actually posted a 13-2-27 (.407) hitting line in the final set to close things out.

Before the match, the coaching staff and team took time to recognize the team's seven departing seniors along with their families: Ogden, Newson, Courtney Rhoden, Julia Bowes, Simone Sparano, Dani Emrich, and Jackie Camponelli.

Rowan will close out the regular season as the team hosts a quad match beginning on Friday. The Profs battle SUNY-Cortland at 5 p.m. prior to a Nazareth-Salisbury clash. On Saturday, the Profs take on Nazareth at 10 a.m. and later Salisbury at 4 p.m.