Union, NJ – The men's volleyball team kicked off the 2022 season earlier this evening on the road against Kean University. Despite a hard fought battle, the Hawks fell in straight sets by scores of 25-19, 25-22 and 25-23.
 
The Purple and Gold had a balanced offensive attack with Ted Kim and Cooper Moran each tallying six kills while teammates Gabe Mendoza and Niro Osbourne chipped in with 5 kills apiece. Moran also had the setting duties on the evening and totaled 14 assists while also leading defensively with nine digs. Overall, the team hit .119, and hammered home 31 kills on 101 attempts.
 
The first set saw four ties with the final knot being a the 17-17 mark before four straight host points ultimately proved to be the separator. Back-to-back kills from Sherrod Cole brought the Hawks to within two points late, but Kean ended with four consecutive points.
 
With help from three Kean errors, Hunter took the early 5-1 lead in the second set. The Cougars chipped away and eventually evened the set at 21 all. However, once again it was Kean who managed to secure the set by going on a 4-1 run to go up 2-0.
 
The third was an evenly played set with both teams trading the lead. A Moran kill gave the Hawks a 22-21 advantage, but it was short lived after Kean responded with three straight to force match point. Despite a late attack error to inch the Purple and Gold closer, the host's Duncan Beilke put the nail in the coffin with a kill.
 
The Hawks return to action on Saturday, January 29 when they travel to Springfield, Massachusetts to compete in the Springfield tri-match. They will take on Wentworth at 2pm and then Springfield to follow at 4pm.