ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Bard College women's volleyball team was on even terms with the Vassar Brewers through most of the first set before Vassar pulled away on Wednesday evening at Stevenson Athletic Center.

Annika Flittie led the Raptors with eight kills, adding eight digs, three aces, and an assist. Ella Small battled on the back row, digging up eight attacks and hitting an ace. Fernanda Julian recorded 19 assists, also contributing four digs and an ace. Four Raptors had three kills – Xenia Vassou, Becca Wintjen, Carmen Merrick and Nyla Lawrence. 

In set number one, Bard came out strong, with kills from Vassou and Lawrence and an ace from Small to make it 4-2. The two teams split the next 20 points, making it 14-12 before Vassar went on an 8-2 run. The Raptors were still within three at 17-20 before the Brewers surged to the end, winning five of the final six points. Bard had 11 kills to just three errors.

Vassar won the set that followed due to an 8-3 lead in the beginning of the frame that it never relinquished. Bard cut the deficit to two at 8-6 before a 5-1 run from the Brewers forced a timeout. The Raptors were energized after the timeout, winning five of the next seven points, three of which were kills by Flittie, Lawrence, and Wintjen. At 15-12, Vassar went on a 10-1 run to close out the set.

The Raptors started the third set with a Lawrence kill, and two points later, Flittie powered one home. However, a large 15-4 run from Vassar prevented a comeback. Bard's final push came at 9-20, when the Raptors won four straight points, capped off by two aces from Flittie. The Brewers' defense stepped up and stopped the Raptors from rallying.

The Raptors host William Smith on Friday, October 10th at 7 p.m. for Pride Night.