UNION, N.J. – The Drew University battled Kean University to a close decision in the each of the first two sets, but the host Cougars defeated the Rangers 3-0 Wednesday evening.
 
Kean won 25-23, 25-23, and 25-15.
 
Sophomore Jacob Sledz posted seven kills and six digs for the Rangers (4-4) while junior Omarf Ortega-Reyes added six kills, 17 assists, and nine digs for Drew.
 
Aidan Finn led the Cougars (2-3) with seven kills and 10 digs while Chris Mitchell posted seven kills and eight digs.
 
Kean jumped to an early 6-2 lead in the first set, but Drew came roaring back and went up 19-16. However, the hosts ended the set on a 9-4 run and scored the final two points after the Rangers had crept to within two.
 
The Rangers used an early 5-0 run to go up 6-4 in the second set. The Cougars answered with a 7-1 run to go up by four, but Drew rallied to tie it on three occasions, the last coming on a Kean attack error that made it 17-17. But the Cougars would lead the rest of the way after scoring the next two points. Drew pulled to within one (24-23) on an Ortega-Reyes kill and a Cougar attack error, but Mitchell clinched the set with a kill.
 
The Cougars never trailed in the final set, though the Rangers trailed just 8-6 early on. But that's when Kean opened up some breathing room with a 5-0 surge, and it would gradually pull away down the stretch.
 
The Rangers are back in action on Monday, when they host Purchase at 7 p.m. in Baldwin Gym.