Box Score DELHI, N.Y. – The Bard College women's tennis team (1-0) defeated the SUNY Delhi Broncos (0-2) in their first match of the season, facing windy conditions on a mild September day.

The new season comes with ITA rules modifications. Matches are now best out of seven team points, with six games coming from singles matches and one point coming from doubles. A team wins the doubles point if they win two out of the three doubles matches, which have been shortened from an eight-game pro set to a standard six-game set.

The Raptors were able to start the match off quickly, taking the doubles point after wins by the teams of Hanna Okalava/Maya Kelly, Paige Houghton/Patricia Santos, and Victoria Bagatcholon/Lisa Kyrtoka at first, second, and third doubles, respectively, all by a score of 6-0.

At No.1 doubles, the Raptors found their rhythm up 3-0. Okalava/Kelly were able to break Delhi's team of Halle Bodo/Hannah Shafer before Okalava effectively sealed the match with a hold to love that featured two unreturned serves.

Houghton/Santos won their match against Jennifer Jimenez/Afsah Diabate at No.2 doubles off the back of a strong first serve percentage above 80%. In Santos's only service game, she hit an ace and had an unreturned serve – all without missing a serve. On return, the duo hit five return winners, including three on break point. Houghton was the more aggressive partner, hitting four of the five.

The No.3 doubles match between Bagatcholon/Kyrtoka and Virginia Savage/Samantha Miller went to the Bard team, completing the sweep in doubles. Bagatcholon used exceptional depth on her shots to put pressure at the Delhi team, causing a slew of forced errors. Kyrtoka showcased a solid net game and was able to make many returns.

The Raptors swept the Broncos in singles as well.

At No.1 singles, Okalava grinded from the baseline, limiting her errors while hitting quality shots from the forehand and backhand wings. Her serves set her up for short balls from Bodo that she could attack, giving her control of the majority of points.

Kelly won over Shafer at No.2 singles, 6-2 6-2. Her play during pressure points – 30-30, 30-40, 40-30, and 40-40 – was instrumental in her victory. She won 74% of the nineteen pressure points during the match. In addition, Kelly was able to win over 50% of her second serve points, while Shafer won just 35% of points on her second serve. Kelly played defensively and hit the ball to Shafer's forehand – she had just four winners to eighteen unforced errors on the forehand side.

At No.3 singles, Houghton won 6-1 6-0 against Jimenez, making her one of three Raptors that won at least two sets 6-0 (Okalava, Santos).
Santos continued her impressive serving in the No.4 singles match, winning all three of her service games in the first set handily. On return, her consistency allowed her to outclass Savage, 6-0, 6-1.

In the No.5 singles match between Malaya Zabala-Cornejo and Diabate, the Bronco player had difficulties with the conditions, serving three double faults over her last two service games. Zabala-Cornejo played a steadier game overall, keeping her number of unforced errors around her number of winners.

Jesse Radzik made her debut for Bard at No.6 singles, winning her first collegiate match 6-0 6-0. She found success on return, winning around three-quarters of points on Miller's serve. Radzik was strong on the eight pressure points she faced, winning seven of them.

"I'm thrilled that everyone got to play today! It was amazing to see the team come together and support each other so strongly!", said head coach Mandy Gamble.

The Raptors will head to Union on Wednesday at 4 p.m. for their first conference match.