ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Opening their home schedule, Bard (1-3) took a loss to Saint Elizabeth (2-1) in front of a raucous crowd.

Bard had an inspired 7-2 run at the beginning of the first set, coming from 3-7 down to 10-8 up, powered by kills from Xenia Vassou and Coral Cook. However, at 17-17, Saint Elizabeth freshman Marissa Heimbaugh unleashed a flurry of kills, and Alyssa Wells struck an ace, forcing Bard coach Lindsey Veersma to call a timeout. At 24-22, Dadylna Louis, the Eagles' second-leading points scorer, showcased her cat-like reflexes, diving on the floor for a crucial dig that led to a kill by Milliana Senescat, punctuating the first set.

Bard scored the three points they needed in the first set to begin the second set, with kills from LaeAnna Riley and Ani Flittie. However, a mental lapse in the middle of the set and strong play by the Eagles' trio of Sophie Galchus, Taylor Liriano, and Kristina Ashton made the difference. With the Eagles leading 23-17, a lengthy rally with multiple attacks by the Raptors' front line brought them to within five. Bard also took the next point with an ace, bringing the score to 23-19, but the comeback ended there. Eagles' junior outside hitter Liriano sealed the second set with a kill, giving Saint Elizabeth a commanding two-set lead in the match.

The Raptors' riskier playstyle led to thirteen third-set kills compared to the Eagles' seven, but the drawback was thirteen total errors.

Bard's third set started off with a bang, as they took a 6-1 lead that they never relinquished. First-year Coral Cook led the way with two of her match-high five aces, serving with precision. With the Raptors up 13-10, Vassou finished off an extended rally, causing the bench to erupt, with a cowbell joining the sound of applause. The run continued after a Saint Elizabeth timeout, giving Bard its largest lead of the night at 18-10. The Eagles cut the lead to four at 21-17, but the Raptors closed out the third set with a kill by Flittie that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Bard's 3rd set hitting percentage (.281) outclassed Saint Elizabeth's (.063), a stark contrast to the beginning of the match.

The fourth set started out close, with many short rallies. At 6-5 Saint Elizabeth, the Eagles' Heimbaugh laid down the law, gathering two kills in the ensuing stretch. After a 6-1 Eagles run, they led 12-5, looking to clinch the match. The Raptors didn't go down quietly. The home team brought it to within one at 14-15. Vassou had three kills, and the trio of Cook, Riley, and Flittie each had one during this stretch. The Eagles regained their composure and finished the match on a 10-6 run to complete the four-set victory.

Cook, Flittie, and Vassou all finished with double-digit kill totals for the Raptors. Cook added 11 digs to her tally, while Ella Small and Becca Wintjen led the team with 15 digs each.

The Raptors kick off another road trip Saturday at 7 p.m., traveling to face Montclair State for their first meeting since 1995.