Box Score
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Winning United Volleyball Conference matches isn't easy. Just ask Bard.

The Raptors, 2-23 in conference play since joining the UVC in 2012, got at least six kills from every starter on Sunday, and rallied to defeat Hilbert College in five sets.

Previous to Sunday, Bard's only UVC wins had been against SUNYIT, which left the UVC this winter after two winless seasons in the conference. To have to rally from a 2-sets-to-1 deficit to get it illustrates just how challenging playing in the UVC is, even against the teams that aren't currently ranked in the AVCA Top 15.

Set scores for Bard were 23-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-13 and 15-10. The match changed for good in the fourth set, when Bard hit .500, with 11 kills and no hitting errors.

Neither team was terrific in terms of efficiency, but Bard (3-6 overall, 1-3 UVC) outhit Hilbert in every set except the third. Hilbert is 3-11 overall, 0-4 in the UVC.

Bard had to withstand an incredible game from Hilbert senior outside hitter Adam Weaver (Stow, OH), who produced 34 kills (.453) and eight digs. Freshman setter Adam Heftka (Grand Island, NY) had 43 assists, and junior Ryan Ratajczak (Orchard Park, NY) had 18 digs.

Conversely, Bard had to get contributions from everyone to pull it out. Freshman Alex Adams had 11 kills, six digs and two solo blocks; Shane McDonald had nine kills and seven digs; Billy Williams and Daniel Gagne each had seven kills and nine digs; Jesse Small had eight kills and 10 digs, and Henry Kasiske had six kills, 30 assists, six digs, and five huge service aces.

It doesn't get easier this coming week, when UVC power and 2nd-ranked New Paltz visits Bard on Wednesday night. You can follow that game via Live Stats or Live Video right here at 7.