BOX SCORE

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (15-8, 2-5 NJAC) fell to visiting Montclair State (10-14, 3-3 NJAC), 3-1, Oct. 20 but the Pioneers were still able to secure a bid to the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Volleyball Tournament.

The Pioneers will be the sixth seed and will play at third-seeded Rowan in the first round Tuesday, Nov. 1.  Earlier this season, William Paterson fell to the Profs, 3-2, in Wayne on Oct. 4.

Tied at 19-19, the Red Hawks won six of the final nine points to come away with a 25-22 opening victory.  The Pioneers responded by jumping out to a 13-2 lead in the second, then held off a late MSU rally for a 25-22 win to even the match at 1-1.  Knotted at 18-18, MSU used the serve of sophomore Kimberly Butrico to reel off the next four points, and the Red Hawks eventually won the third set by a 25-20 score.  WP scored the first point of the fourth, but Montclair State never trailed again in winning the deciding set, 25-19.

Senior outside hitter Megan Maher (Wood-Ridge, N.J./Wood-Ridge) led the Pioneers with 18 kills, adding 23 digs.  The New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, senior Kim Runge (Closter, N.J./Northern Valley Regional-Demarest) collected 12 kills and a team-best 24 digs, and junior libero Michelle Mitchell (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) had 23 digs.  Junior setter Liz Dykhouse (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) posted 22 assists and 14 digs, and freshman setter Danielle Koukos (Midland Park, N.J./Midland Park) added 11 assists.

Sophomore Marta Topor and freshman Daniella Salemo each contributed 13 kills for MSU.  Freshman Angela Campo dished 44 assists to go along with 19 digs, sophomore Kaitlyn Irwin paced the team with 24 digs, and junior Alyssa Batiste had 11 kills and 12 digs.

William Paterson will host Lehman and Misericordia for a tri-match Saturday, Oct. 22, starting at 11:00 a.m.