MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University men's volleyball nearly rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set, but Kean University held off the Rangers 3-1 on Monday evening in Baldwin Gym.
The Cougars (11-10) won by scores of 25-15, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24.
The Rangers (11-11), who earned their first set victory in team history over Kean, received 14 kills, a career-high 21 digs, and three blocks from junior
Ephraim Smith while classmate
Jacob Sledz also posted a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs. Sophomore
Andrew DuHaime registered 10 kills while senior
Omarf Ortega-Reyes added a season-high 34 assists to go with nine digs. Juniors
C.J. Addeo (four blocks) and
Bryan Do (nine digs) also contributed defensively.
Chris Mitchell posted 13 kills and 10 digs to lead Kean.
The Rangers led 7-3 early in the opening set, but the Cougars came back with a 9-1 run and led the rest of the way.
The second set was close most of the way, and the Rangers trailed just 19-17 before Kean used a 4-0 run to open up some breathing room. The Cougars held a 24-19 but Drew would not go way, winning four straight points to pull to within one. But Kean ended the set on a kill.
The Rangers were far from done, however, as the Rangers hit an incredible 77 percent and did to commit a hitting error in the third set. Sledz the way with eight kills in the set for Drew, which led just 12-11 before breaking out with a 5-0 run. DuHaime, Addeo, Ortega-Reyes, and Sledz tallied one kill apiece in the period, and the Cougars were unable to get closer five the rest of the way.
An early 6-0 run in the fourth set had Kean up 9-6, but the Rangers roared back with an 11-3 run to assume a 17-12 lead. But that's when the Cougars climbed back into it with a 7-1 run to go ahead 19-18, but Drew responded once again, this time with a 4-0 spurt. The hosts were two points from a deciding fifth set after leading 23-21, but Kean closed out the match on a 4-1 run.
The Rangers play their home finale on Tuesday, when they take on Bard College at 7 p.m. on Senior Night.
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