The Bard College women's volleyball team locked in to win a close match against NJCU on Monday night at the John J. Moore Athletics & Fitness Center.

Bard won the first four points of the opening set, with Cook hitting two aces. Later, the Raptors were down 8-15 but found hope as they looked for Cook on the attack. The Raptors went on a 17-8 run to win the set, with six kills from Cook.

Bard had 12 kills to just three errors for a .257 hitting percentage in the first set.

In the second set, the Raptors held on to a two point lead at 9-7 when they bursted forward, going on an 8-1 run. Cook had an emphatic attack that deflected off of the Gothic Knights' blockers, and Ella Small had a diving one-handed dig during this stretch of exceptional play. Bard held off NJCU at arm's length, keeping at least a six point lead throughout the rest of the set.

Becca Wintjen set up the offense, distributing 12 assists in set number two. This led to a dominant advantage in the hitting percentage department, as Bard hit .267 to NJCU's -.034 in the frame. The Gothic Knights responded, winning the third set. 

Both teams exchanged blows in the fourth set, resulting in a 10-8 mid-set score. The Raptors went on an 8-2 run to extend their lead to eight. The Gothic Knights were unable to answer, and the Raptors renewed confidence carried them to the finish line. LaeAnna Riley secured the final two points with aces.

The Raptors hit .348 in the final set and .240 for the match, their best percentage on the road this year. They recorded 49 kills and 7 blocks, both their third highest total this season. Bard added 60 digs, their second highest for a road match.

Cook led the Raptors with 14 kills, 13 digs and four aces. Annika Flittie and Xenia Vassou reached double digit kill totals themselves, with 12 each, a career high for Vassou. The two first years had season high block totals – Flittie had six, and Vassou had five to tie her best. Wintjen divvied up 37 assists and had 12 digs. The Raptors had four players with at least 10 digs in a stellar defensive showing.

The Raptors will take this momentum back to Annandale-on-Hudson on Friday, where they will close their season against Sarah Lawrence at 7 p.m.