ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's volleyball team played it's first-ever match in the brand-new United Volleyball Conference on Thursday night, and the Raptors didn't disappoint.

Bard defeated UVC opponent SUNY Institute of Technology in a thriller, 3-1, behind big performances from junior Nick Chan (Victor, NY) and a pair of freshmen.

The scores were 25-19, 18-25, 25-20 and 29-27.

Chan collected 21 kills on 42 attempts and showed both thunderous power and deft touch throughout the contest. Freshman setter Henry Kasiske (Los Angeles, CA), making his collegiate debut, handed out 46 assists and contributed nine digs. Fellow freshman outside hitter Billy Williams (Livingston, NJ) contributed 10 kills and six digs.

Still, it took contributions from everyone to allow Bard to hold off SUNYIT.

Junior Eliah Gardner (Chatham, NY) had seven kills and six digs, senior Elijah Strauss had five kills and three blocks, and junior Ryan Fallon added three kills and three blocks.

Bard (1-0, 0-0 Skyline Conference) scored the last six points to win Game 1, 25-19; there were six ties in Game 2 before the Wildcats pulled that one out, 25-18; Bard held off a late rally to win Game 3, 25-20; and the Raptors survived one game point before surviving Game 4, 29-27.

SUNYIT (0-1, 0-1 UVC) is hosting a tournament this weekend, and Bard will be there. The Raptors will play Hilbert College at 4, and SUNYIT at 6 on Saturday. On Sunday, Bard will play Stevenson College at noon, and Sage at 2 p.m.