Box Score

Union, NJ (Feb. 5, 2013) – Powerhouse Kean pushed past Purchase in straight sets Tuesday night, despite another solid effort from the ever-improving Panthers.  

The Cougars (4-3, 2-1 Skyline) are currently ranked 15th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Top 15 and were led by Ed Jedziniak with 12 kills and a .444 attack percentage.

The loss drops Purchase to 1-4 this season and 1-2 in conference play. 

The Panthers were led by Kevon Kareem Bruce (JR/Hayes, Jamaica), who shared the team-high five kills with teammate Taylor Edelmann (SR/Bethel, CT), as well as five digs. Edelmann and Alex Billen-Calhoun (SR/Niskayuna, NY) also played well in the loss, with Billen-Calhoun recording 15 of the team's 16 assists. Mateo Morel (SR/Bronx, NY) added three kills for Purchase.  

The Cougars started with a 25-9 win in the opening set. 

However, Kean found themselves trailing early in the second set, down by two on two separate occasions, but a kill from  Mike Scheuermann tied the match up at six-all and Steve Vahalla used a long run at the service line to push the Cougars ahead, 13-6. 

Kean then paced the remainder of the set, winning by the final of 25-15.

The Panthers kept pace in the third set, taking the lead and tying the set on several occasions. 

With the set tied at 22-all, an attack error gave the Cougars the lead for good and Kean closed out the set using a kill from Jedziniak and an ace to put away the win.

Purchase played extremely well in the second and third sets, but Kean's strong showing in the first set and ability to finish strong translated into the 3-0 win.

The Panthers will look to rebound next time out, when they return to Purchase for their second home contest of the season. Purchase will host NYU-POLY next Monday (Feb. 11).

-Kean Sports Information Contributed to this report