ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's volleyball team lost its season opener Tuesday night, falling to Medgar Evers College in straight sets.

Set scores for the match were 25-20, 25-19 and 25-15. 

In the opening set, the Cougars of Medgar Evers came out on fire, as they smashed home 15 kills on a .560 hitting in the frame. Bard battled throughout the set and remained within striking distance, but the hitting of Medgar Evers proved to be too much to overcome, as the guests took the set, 25-20.

In the second set, things started to even out. After falling behind early in the frame, the Raptors rallied back to take their first lead of the contest, 11-9. The Cougars responded though, as the two squads traded points to an eventual 15-15 tie game.

From there however, the guests were able to secure some breathing room, as they scored five of the next six points to jump in front, 20-16. Bard cut into the deficit by making it 21-19 late, but the Cougars answered right back, scoring the next four points to close out the set with a win.

In the final set, Medgar Evers jumped out to a big lead and never looked back, as the guests cruised to the match win.

Individually, Tristan Kozul led the way for the Raptors, as the junior collected 12 kills, six digs and a block in the effort. Nic Smith finished with 18 assists, while Radoslav Skular added two blocks and two aces.

For the Cougars, Nius St. Clair (Saint Lucia) led all players with 18 kills and nine digs. Enmanuel Jacquez (Santiado, Dominican Republic) added 10 kills, eight digs and four aces in the win.

Up next for the Raptors is a home match with Johnson State College on January 27th at 11 a.m. You can follow it right here.