AMHERST, MASS. - The Bard College women's volleyball team split a pair of matches at the Hall of Fame Invitational Saturday, first defeating Bridgewater State University in straight sets, then falling to Colby College.
The Raptors (7-16, 0-5 LL) started off the day with Bridgewater State (7-12), and got off to a strong start against the Bears. Bard took an early lead in the first and was able to build on it throughout the set, picking up a 25-15 win to take a 1-0 lead.
In the second set, the Raptors were able to keep the momentum going. They took control early and gave up very little to Bridgewater State, cruising to a 25-9 victory and going up 2-0 in the match.
The Bears came with a push in the third in an attempt to push the Raptors a fourth set, but Bard was able to put the match away. The Raptors closed things out with a 25-19 win and picked up a decisive 3-0 victory.
Freshman
Macey Spearko led the Raptors with 11 kills on the match, while junior
Mikala L'Hote followed closely with 10. Junior
Stella Gatti picked up five kills and 13 digs, and senior
Jewel Smith earned 30 assists. Senior
Lia Taus led Bard with 22 digs during the match.
The Raptors then took on Colby, with the Mules piling up points early to leave Bard in a hole. Although the Raptors put together a late flurry, they could not overcome the deficit as Colby took the first set 25-14.
Bard battled to an even score midway through the second set, but the Mules went on a 7-2 run to create a late lead. The Raptors were again unable to close the gap, and Colby went on to take a 2-0 lead in the match following the 25-17 second set victory.
Bard came back with a victory in the third to pull within a set, as the Raptors overcame an early four point deficit and pulled away late to pick up a 25-21 victory and force set four.
The Raptors once again came back from a four point deficit to tie it early in the fourth, but this time were unable to complete the comeback as the Mules followed with a 6-2 run and were able to hang on for a 25-22 win to pick up a 3-1 victory.
On the match, Spearko again led Bard with eight kills while adding 10 digs, and L'Hote followed with five kills. Smith added 17 assists for the Raptors and Taus ended the match with 17 digs.
For her performance in the three matches, Spearko was named to the All-Tournament Team. She finished the tournament with 22 kills, 20 digs and four block assists.
The Raptors return to the court Friday, Oct. 25, when they host Skidmore College in Liberty League play at 4:00 p.m. The box score for the match versus Bridgewater State will be posted when available.
