Box Score 

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (20-5, 4-4 NJAC) celebrated Senior Night by clinching a spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Volleyball Tournament field, defeating Kean (19-16, 2-6 NJAC) by a 3-1 score Oct. 28.

The Pioneers will be the fifth seed in the league tourney, and will play a first-round match at fourth-seeded Rowan Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 7:00 p.m.

William Paterson took the early advantage against the Cougars, winning the first two sets by identical 25-18 scores. The two teams were tied at 12-12 in the third, but Kean reeled off five straight points and came away with a 25-22 victory to force a fourth set. The Cougars led by as many as four early, but William Paterson fought back to forge a 19-19 deadlock. Two Nicole Bolash kills and a Kaitlyn Hansen ace handed Kean a 22-19 edge before the Pioneers answered by scoring five of the next six points for a 24-23 advantage.

A service error tied the set at 24-24, and the two teams traded points until a Michelle Leeder (Ridgefield, N.J./Ridgefield Memorial) kill made it a 29-28 count in William Paterson's favor. Leeder and fellow senior Stephanie Fox (Hawthorne, N.J./Paramus Catholic) then combined to block Bolash for the final point and a 30-28 Pioneer victory.

Junior Megan Maher (Wood-Ridge, N.J./Wood-Ridge) posted a triple-double with 11 kills and a team-best 20 assists and 17 digs. Classmate Kim Runge (Closter, N.J./Northern Valley Regional-Demarest) had 18 kills and nine digs for William Paterson, and Leeder contributed 10 kills and 10 digs. Senior Jillian Bronowich (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) collected 17 assists and 16 digs, sophomore Michelle Mitchell (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) had 10 digs, and sophomore Liz Dykhouse (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) chipped in 11 assists.

Bolash paced the Cougars with 20 kills and 16 digs. Katie Schuh had 10 kills and nine digs, and Colleen Masterson contributed 47 assists.

Prior to the match, the Pioneers honored their three seniors – Bronowich, Fox and Leeder.