THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Maritime volleyball team improved to 2-0 on the season for the first time in recorded program history as the Privateers swept past the Lehman Lightning by the score of 3-0 on Thursday night inside Riesenberg Hall Gymnasium.
 
The Privateers swept by the scores of 25-21, 25-22, and finished off the match with a 25-12 third set.
 
Leading the way for the Privateers was senior Gabrielle Kempski (Cortlandt Manor, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson), who registered a team-high nine kills, four aces and nine digs on the night. Classmate Shannon Brady (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) was second on the team with six kills, while also chipping in with eight digs on the night. Junior Isabella Kent (Narrowsburg, N.Y./Sullivan West) also had five kills, while rookie Abby Steele (Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial) added four of her own.
 
Freshman Erika Kirchner (Meadowmere Park, N.Y./Lawrence) had a strong night setting up Maritime's 30 kills as she recorded 23 assists, both Kempski and Steele had two assists themselves. In terms of service aces Kempski was joined by senior Rachel Rothstein (Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville), who added four of her own while Steele had three on the night.
 
Maritime opened up a 5-1 lead in the first set behind the serving of Kirchner, however both sides exchanged rallies as Lehman pulled with 22-18 and then again within 24-21 before Steele put down the set-winning point off of a pass from Kirchner.
 
In the second set the Privateers had to play from behind as Lehman pulled out to a 5-2 lead, but Steele notched three consecutive service aces to put the Privateers back up 6-5. Lehman was able to knot the score at 18, but the Privateers went on another long rally with Rothstein on service as the senior picked up two of her four service aces in the rotation to put Maritime up 23-18. Maritime ultimately won the set on a service error by the Lightning.
 
With Lehman on the ropes the Privateers looked to finish the match in three sets and did not disappoint as the team put together its strongest set of the night. Maritime opened up a 6-2 lead, which swelled to 18-9 after a pass from Kirchner was put down by Kent. Junior Colleen Ireland (Hyde Park, N.Y./Mount Olive (N.J.)) got the next kill for Maritime before the Privateers got service back at 19-11.
 
With Kempski getting the next kill, she then served back-to-back service aces before two more Privateer points. Maritime got service once more after a Lehman error, which was ultimately a kill form Steele to finish off the match and send the Privateer faithful home happy.
 
Maritime (2-0) will look to extend its season-opening win streak on Saturday, when the team takes part in its first tri-match of the year at Sarah Lawrence. Maritime will take on Bard at 1 p.m. and the host Gryphons at 3 p.m. from the Campbell Sports Center in Bronxville.
 
Lehman (0-3) looks to right the ship on Saturday, when the team opens CUNYAC play with Baruch and John Jay, with the opener set for 10:00 a.m. against the Bearcats.