MORRISVILLE, N.Y. - The Bard College women's volleyball team won its first match of fhe 2015 season on Saturday, and it took every ounce of effort from everyone on the team.
The Raptors rallied to defeat University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg in five sets, then were swept by powerhouse Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the first day of the Morrisville State Tournament.
In the opener, it took a milestone performance from freshman outside hitter
Sofia Koukia and great team defense to edge Pitt-Greensburg, 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-14 and 17-15. Down two sets to one, the Raptors put together a .324 fourth set, then prevailed in a nail-biter fifth set.
Koukia became the first Bard player to record 20 kills in a match since Iga Mrozek in 2007, and added 15 digs and two aces.
Tytravia Riley added 15 kills, 15 digs and five blocks. Another freshman,
Victoria Chou, produced four kills, 41 assists, 16 digs and two aces. The digs leader was libero
Philippine Alba, who had 26.
Daniella Azulai had 15 digs herself, and freshman
Kristen Westerduin added seven kills and four digs.
MIT (2-0) swept Bard (1-2) 25-13, 25-13 and 25-20. The Engineers hit .355 and got 10 kills from sophomore Alli Davanzo (St. John, FL).
Koukia had five kills and six digs, and Chou had nine assists.
The Raptors will play St. John Fisher and Morrisville State on Sunday at 1 & 5, respectively.
