Box Score UNION, NJ – After winning 20 matches for the first time in school history last year, Johnson & Wales University men's volleyball coach Scott Reslow wanted to challenge his team. The Wildcats got a taste of what it takes to get to the next level in their season opener as they fell 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-22) to 11th-ranked Kean on Thursday.
Neither team performed particularly well on offense with the Cougars holding a .173-to-.090 advantage in hitting percentage. Johnson & Wales did out-dig Kean, 44-35.
The only player to record a double-double was JWU setter Cameron Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) with 25 assists and 10 digs. Freshman Alex Seda (San Juan, PR) had a match-high 13 digs and six kills in his collegiate debut. Senior Ryan Kennedy (West Barnstable, Mass.) led the Wildcats with 11 kills.
The Cougars jumped out to an early lead in the first set but the Wildcats fought back to win four out of six points to pull within 11-8. Unfortunately, Kean responded by going on an 8-2 run to open a 19-10 lead. JWU closed to 23-19 before the hosts finished off the set.
Kean got out to another fast start in the second set, 7-1, before JWU clawed its way back to 11-8. Another 11-2 run by the Cougars produced a lead the Wildcats could not overcome. The third set was more evenly matched with the Wildcats pulling to within 21-19 off three-straight Kennedy kills. A Brandon Baker (Providence, RI) kill made it 24-22, but an Wildcat service error finished the match.
Johnson & Wales is back in action on Friday when it takes on Hunter and D'Youville in the Kean Invitational.
