The Bard College women's volleyball team fell to the Catholic Cardinals, 21-25, 23-25, 21-25, at Arcadia University on Friday afternoon.
Kylah Demers recorded a team-high eight kills, adding a block. Paola De La Cruz was the lone Raptor to record double-digit assists, with 12. Isis Pribble led Bard in digs, with 10, and aces, with four, adding six kills. Nala Roman accumulated four kills. Xenia Vassou picked up five kills, two blocks, two aces, and two digs.
Bard got out to a 6-2 lead with a trio of kills from Pribble, Roman, and Demers. Catholic built a 16-11 advantage after a 14-5 spurt. The Raptors tied it back up at 17-17 after winning six of the next seven points. The teams tied the score at 18-18 and 19-19 before four straight points from the Cardinals forced a Bard timeout. Catholic had a couple of service errors down the stretch, but it closed it out 25-21. Bard had the edge in aces, 3-2.
In the second set, the Raptors took the first two points, but Catholic won the next five. The Cardinals got out to a 10-4 lead, but Bard did not quit, going on an 11-4 run to take a 15-14 lead midway through the frame. The Raptors continued to apply pressure, as a kill from Pribble made it 19-17. From then on, it was a photo finish, as the Cardinals found the hardwood with attacks during an 8-4 surge to win the set. The Raptors had the slight blocking advantage, 2-1.
Catholic took control of the third set with a 10-5 start. Bard started to chip away, as Demers responded with a kill. However, it was the Cardinals who responded, going up by seven at 19-12. The Raptors had a push in them, winning six of the next seven points including back-to-back Rhinehart kills. Catholic answered with three straight points, but Bard continued to close in, winning three straight of its own to make it 21-23. However, the Cardinals prevented a fourth set.
Tomorrow, the Raptors will play Muhlenberg at 11 a.m. before taking on the host, Arcadia, at 1 p.m.
