WAYNE, N.J. – For the first time since 2009, the fourth-seeded William Paterson volleyball team (25-5, 5-3 NJAC) captured a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament victory after besting fifth-seeded Rowan (9-21, 3-5 NJAC), 3-1, Nov. 7 in the quarterfinal round at the Sports and Recreation Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• It was a back-and-forth battle in the first set as the two sides traded points most of the way. The Pioneers rattled off three straight points to grab an 18-16 advantage, but the Profs responded with five unanswered to grab a three-point edge (21-18). A late Rowan error allowed the Pioneers to trim the deficit to one (22-21), however, the Profs were able to hang on and secure the 25-22 set victory.
• William Paterson held a slim 8-7 lead in the second set before a 9-1 run extended the advantage to nine (17-8). The Profs worked their way back into the set and pulled within five (22-17), but that would be as close as they would get as back-to-back kills by freshman Cecilia Miller (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) sealed the 25-18 victory.
• In the third set, the Pioneers owned a two-point lead (12-10) before a kill by freshman Natalie Zabloudil (London, Ohio/London) sparked a 13-4 run that allowed WP to capture the 25-14 win.
• The Pioneers trailed by one (11-10) in the fourth set before a 10-1 run gave WP a 20-12 lead. Rowan pulled within seven (22-15), but Miller logged a kill and two consecutive aces to give the Pioneers the 25-15 set victory.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Pioneers earned their first NJAC Tournament victory since Nov. 3, 2009.
• William Paterson recorded its 25th win on the year, the most for the program since the 1988 team won 26 matches.
• The Pioneers extended their win streak to six and have now won 14 of their last 15 outings.
• Zabloudil had a match-high 19 kills to go with six digs and three aces.
• Miller logged her 13th double-double after finishing with 16 kills and 14 digs.
• Graduate student Rose Vail (Phoenix, Md./Dulaney) and freshman Kristian Glenn (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay) finished with seven kills apiece.
• Junior libero Paola Molina (Hatillo, Puerto Rico/Colegio San Felipe) tallied a team-best 18 digs.
• Freshman Abby Houpt (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) dished out a match-high 44 assists.

UP NEXT:

• The Pioneers will travel to Galloway, N.J., Thursday, Nov. 9, for a 7:00 p.m. semifinal round matchup against top-seeded Stockton.  

 
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