The Maritime College women's volleyball team traveled to Bard College on Saturday afternoon for a tri-match against the Raptors and Skyline Conference foe, Sarah Lawrence. The Privateers battled both teams to multiple close sets, but ultimately fell in three sets in both matches.

In their opening match, Maritime came out hot on offense as they racked up 12 kills in the first set. Trailing 15-10, kills from Celyna Custodio (Danbury, Conn./Danbury) and Meghan Eagleton (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham) helped spur a four-point run that brought the Privateers within one point of the Gryphons. Unfortunately, Sarah Lawrence went on to win five of the next six points and they were able to hang on for a 25-19 victory.

Maritime took an early 6-4 lead in the second set, but the Gryphons went on a five-point, and 10-point run during the set to take full control. Sarah Lawrence went on to take a 25-15 second set win behind the two big runs. In the third set, it was the Privateers turn to make a run as they won 10 of 11 points early on to take an 11-3 lead. However, the Gryphons slowly chipped away at Maritime's lead and was able to escape with a 25-23 set three win.

Custodio was dominant out of the middle for Maritime as she totaled 13 kills with a .476 hitting percentage. Erica Pagano (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence) also had a solid effort as she finished with seven kills. Defensively, Abby Steele (Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial), Abby Solomos (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai), and Brooke Kirchner (Lawrence, NY/Lawrence) all finished with double-digit digs, with Solomos leading the way at 12. Erika Kirchner (Meadowmere Park, N.Y./Lawrence) dished out a match-high 27 assists. 

In the second match of the day, the Privateers went down early to the hosts, but a service ace from Eagleton knotted up the score at eight. The Raptors were able to swing the momentum back in their favor though and take the opening set 25-18.

The second set saw Maritime quickly jump ahead 9-1 behind some strong offensive play. Unfortunately, the Privateers couldn't hold onto their lead and eventually fell 25-19. In the third set, back-to-back kills from Abby Steele (Crossville, Tenn./Stone Memorial) tied the score up at 10. However, Bard responded by winning eight of the next nine points and they were able to defeat Maritime in straight sets.

Steele led the offense with eight kills and a .333 hitting percentage. Kirchner tallied 16 assists, while Solomos led the back line with 14 digs. The Privateers return to action on Monday, October 7 at Manhattanville College.