Box Score UNION, N.J. (Sept. 15, 2022) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's volleyball team dropped an extremely close five-set thriller at non-conference opponent Kean University on Thursday night. The Mariners (3-3) took the first two sets 25-23 and 26-24, but lost the next three-straight 25-17, 28-26 and 15-11 to the Cougars (4-3).
 
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• Box Score 

Three Mariners recorded double-doubles on the night, as junior Meredith Buchanan (Kathleen, Ga.) had a career-high 21 kills and 13 digs, senior Paige Smith (Virginia Beach, Va.) slammed down 10 kills with 23 digs (and a match-high six aces) and classmate Claire Hyun (Issaquah, Wash.) led the setters with 47 digs while also picking up 11 digs.
 
Junior Brittany Breland (Bryan, Texas) added a career-best 19 kills and two other Mariners had a great night defensively as libero freshman Stephanie Schatzman (Virginia Beach, Va.) led all players with 25 digs and senior Skyler Burnham (Reading, Pa.) produced 14 digs. Junior Amy Jones (Roscoe, Ill.) also had a solid night with five kills on a team-best .308 hitting percentage, seven digs and three aces.
 
USMMA nearly won the match in the fourth set, climbing back from a 24-21 deficit to force extras and take a 26-25 advantage to get to match-point. However, Kean responded with three-straight points to take the set, 28-26.
 
The Cougars had four players with double-digit kill nights including a team-best 13 from freshman Alison Kowalewski, who also hit at an impressive .545 clip. Senior Morgan Hall, junior Ashley Smith and freshman Aubre Adams all had 11 kills each, with Smith recording the hosts' only double-double of the night with 19 digs, while Hall put down a match-best four blocks. Senior Sedona Gaard picked up a team-best 20 digs.
 
The Mariners are back in action on Monday night, Sept. 19, when they open Skyline Conference action against Yeshiva University. Action is set to get underway at 8 p.m. at Baruch College's ARC Arena in Manhattan. Live stats and a live video feed of the match will be available with links on the USMMA Women's Volleyball Schedule Page.
 
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