WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson volleyball team (8-5, 1-0 NJAC) opened New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play with a 3-0 victory against Montclair State (8-3, 0-1 NJAC) Sept. 23 at the Sports and Recreation Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Pioneers took a commanding 18-9 lead in the first set before being outscored, 13-6, to make it a two-point game (24-22). However, a kill by freshman Riley Elliott (El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge) sealed the 25-22 WP victory.
• With Elliott leading the way, the Pioneers jumped out to a 19-12 advantage in the second set. The Red Hawks pulled within five (20-15), but WP closed out the set on a 5-1 run to capture the 25-16 win.
• The Pioneers trailed 20-16 late in the third set until a 6-1 run put WP ahead by one (22-21). Despite Montclair State retaking the lead (24-23), the Pioneers recorded three consecutive kills to secure the 26-24 victory.   

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Pioneers extended their win streak to six.
• Elliott led the Pioneers with 17 kills.
• Junior Cecilia Miller (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) finished with nine kills and four digs.
• Junior Kristian Glenn (Weston, Fla./Cypress Bay) had eight kills and a pair of blocks.
• Junior Abby Houpt (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) recorded a match-best 38 assists to pair with 10 digs.
• Sophomore Bella Demers (Maumee, Ohio/Maumee) collected a match-high 16 digs while adding six assists.

UP NEXT:

• William Paterson returns to the Sports and Recreation Center Thursday, Sept. 25, for a 7:00 p.m. match against Muhlenberg.

 
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