UNION, N.J. – Sixth-seeded William Paterson volleyball (0-6) saw its season come to a close after a 3-0 defeat at third-seeded Kean (4-2) in the quarterfinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament March 18.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Kean's defense set the tone early by using four blocks to build a 17-9 lead that forced WP into a timeout. When play resumed, the Cougars stretched their advantage to 12 (23-11) but Kayla Nelson's (Clifton, N.J./Passaic County Technical Institute) kill capped-off a six point Pioneer run that cut the deficit in half before KU used kills by Kailey Fawns and Morgan Hall to take the opener 25-18.
• KU landed three aces during a 9-1 burst to open the second frame. Two kills apiece from Dakota Apicella (Kendall Park, N.J./South Brunswick) and Kathleen Burrough (North Burlington, N.J./North Burlington), and a Hannah McErlain (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest) ace, kept WP in the set, but KU registered six of the final seven tallies to earn a 25-14 second set victory.  
• Back-and-forth play in the third saw half a dozen ties before Kean was able to push ahead 10-8. WP would regain the lead (11-10), but KU pulled away by using a 9-2 run and claimed the set and match, 25-18.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Apicella posted a double-double of 10 kills and 13 digs.
• Gabriella Pimentel (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus) led all players with 16 digs, falling one short of tying her personal best (17, 10/29/19).
• Burrough ties a season-high with 14 defensive scoops while adding seven kills.
• Nelson recorded a state line of 23 assists, seven digs and two kills, and Taylor Crowley (Sewell, N.J./Washington Twp.) contributed nine digs from the libero spot.

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