Bard College Sweeps Mount St. Mary, Split Tri-match

By Noah Poll

ANNANDALE-ON HUDSON – The Bard College women’s volleyball sweeps Mount St. Mary as the Raptors splits tri-match on Saturday afternoon at Stevenson Athletic Center.

In their first match of the day, the Raptors (2-7) fell to FDU-Florham (5-5) in four sets.

The Raptors finished the first set strong, coming back from a 20-12 deficit. The Raptors responded with a powerful offense led by Annika Flittie, LaeAnna Riley, and Coral Cook, who recorded two kills each during the run. FDU-Florham tested Bard’s mettle, and the Raptors came through, winning six of the last seven points in the set.

In the second set, the Raptors were able to rally back from a 9-1 deficit, winning seven straight points, including an ace by Ella Small. FDU-Florham’s attackers caught fire in the third set, with Tayla O’Connor leading the charge with nine kills.

In the fourth and final set, Bard accumulated eleven kills, matching their first set total, but the result was flipped. The Devils hit an impressive .407, while Bard managed an .083 hitting percentage. Despite four separate runs of three or more points, the Raptors ultimately fell 25-21.

Flittie led Bard with 12 kills, while Cook added 10 kills and 10 digs. Riley contributed five kills and four aces, and Ella Small anchored the defense with a team-high 18 digs. Becca Wintjen dished out 26 assists and added 10 digs.

Bard regrouped for their second match against Mount St. Mary.

The Raptors defeated the Knights 3-0, carrying momentum from a run in the first set. Bard posted a season best overall hitting percentage of .253, with standout offensive efforts, particularly from Cook, while Mt. St. Mary hit just .099.

Both teams exchanged points in the first set, with Mt. St. Mary leading 8-3 following a service ace by Jonaiya Williams. Down in the first set 10-18, Bard rallied to tie the game at 19-19 thanks to kills from Cook and service aces from Ninni Ylenius and Flittie. Bard closed out the set with a 11-1 run, including another kill from Cook to seal the set 25-20.

Bard went on a massive 11-0 run in the second set. Bard’s blocking and aggressive offense—led by Xenia Vassou and Cook—pushed their lead to 18-10. A run of effective serving from Wintjen extended Bard’s advantage. Although the Knights saved five set points, Vassou closed out the set with a kill at 25-16.

The final set mirrored the second, with Bard’s offense dominating. The team made just three errors en route to a 25-14 win.

For Bard, Cook led all players with a season high 14 kills and .393 hitting percentage, while Flittie and Vassou each added 6 kills. Vassou led Bard in blocking with 4. Riley was a force from the service line, recording a career-high six aces, with Cook contributing 4 and Wintjen adding 2. Wintjen facilitated Bard’s offense with a match-high 25 assists, and she also tied with Cook for the team lead in digs, with both players recording 8.

The Raptors will face Sage at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.