Kowalski hit .250 (114-49-260) and averaged 3.56 kills per set as six of the Bearcats' season-opening nine matches came against nationally ranked competition. His season-high of 22 kills on .472 hitting helped Baruch to a five-set victory over No. 5 Rivier (Jan. 29), while the reigning All-America selection also registered a .550 hitting percentage (12-1-20) and assisted on three blocks in a three-set match versus seventh-ranked NYU (Jan. 30).