ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Bard men's volleyball team fell short against Sage in a thrilling five-setter on Wednesday night at Stevenson Athletic Center. Set scores were 19-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-22, 13-15. 

Bard (8-11, 1-2 NEVC) had three with double-digit kills. First-year Lincoln Grisso led the offense with 13 kills and a .345 hit percentage. NEVC Rookie of the Week Kincade Avery and graduate student Angel Obergh each had 12 kills. Avery added nine digs. Sophomore setter Georgi Chikolov totaled 36 assists and six digs. 

The first set was back and forth with the Gators edging the Raptors thanks to a 6-1 run at 19-18 to take the set. In the second set, the Raptors turned it around at 16-16, using a 9-2 run to tie the match. Sage took control of the third set, hitting .400 with only four errors. 

The fourth set saw the Raptors take a 19-14 lead, but the Gators fought back to get within two, 22-24. A kill from Avery sealed the fourth set for Bard and took it to a deciding set. In the final set, both teams were tied up at 5-5, and the Raptors won three consecutive points to take an 8-5 lead. At 11-8, Sage rallied back with a 7-2 run to take the victory. 

Bard will travel to Nichols on Saturday for a tri-match against the host Bison at noon, followed by Elms at 2 p.m.