ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's volleyball team won its first game of the season, 3-0, over Southern Vermont University Tuesday night.

Set scores for the match were, 25-13, 25-12 and 25-18.

In the first set, each side opened by trading points. Once Bard (1-3) established a 6-5 lead, it proceeded to score five of the next six points to put distance between itself and the visitors. 

Bard again rallied up 14-10, scoring 11 of the final 14 points of the set to strike first in the match.

The second set was just like the first, as each team traded points to begin. Southern Vermont (0-1) cut the Raptors lead to 5-4 early in the frame, before Bard responded by outscoring the opposition, 20-8 over the rest of the set. 

The third set was just like the first two, with Bard taking the advantage early and never relinquishing it. The hosts maintained a 10-point lead most of the set before a late rally by the Mountaineers cut it to just a 25-18 win in the end.

Bard hit the ball the best it has all season Tuesday night, outhitting Southern Vermont, .382 to .026. In the first set alone, the Raptors hit an outstanding, .636, before cooling down over the final two sets. 

The Raptors also dominated the aces battle, recording 20 aces to the Mountaineers' two in the match.

Alex Adams finished with a game-high seven kills, while Stefan Briggs scored six kills. Tyler Zowaski added six aces and Shane McDonald had 19 assists for the hosts. 

Elmer Olivares (Miami, FL) recorded four kills, while Bryan Bernal (Riverside, CA) finished with seven assists for Southern Vermont. 

Up next for Bard is a trip to Rhode Island for the Johnson & Wales University Tip-Off Tournament. The Raptors will play Endicott and Johnson & Wales Friday, January 27th, starting at 6:00 p.m.