THROGGS NECK, NY – On Thursday night, the Maritime College volleyball team wrapped up a three-match homestand by welcoming Sarah Lawrence to Riesenberg Gymnasium.  The Privateers (4-18, 1-6 Skyline) were unable to come away with the win, however, as the Gryphons (12-5, 6-1 Skyline) earned a 25-17, 25-19, 25-12 victory.

Sarah Lawrence scored the first three points of the match before Maritime rallied to take a 7-5 lead.  The Gryphons countered with an 8-2 run, though, to go ahead 13-9.  After an Ashley Pavarini (Ossining, NY) kill brought the Privateers within 17-14, Sarah Lawrence went on a 7-0 spurt to reach set point.  The Gryphons took the opening frame by a 25-17 count.

In the second set, Sarah Lawrence raced out to a 7-2 advantage.  The Gryphons extended the margin to 14-8 before the Privateers went on a 6-3 rally to pull within 17-14.  However, Sarah Lawrence ended the set on an 8-5 run to close out a 25-19 win and go up 2-0 in the match.

The Gryphons then opened up a 6-1 cushion to open the third set.  Maritime got back within 7-5, but Sarah Lawrence responded with an 11-3 spurt to increase their lead to 18-8.  The Gryphons finished off the three-set sweep by claiming the third set, 25-12.

Grace Devaney (Lynbrook, NY) nearly notched her second straight double-double for the Privateers, finishing with nine kills and 11 digs.  Soraya Hall (Valrico, FL) contributed eight kills, while Karelys Rolon (Hudson, FL) had six kills and a team-high 14 digs.  Pavarini distributed 12 assists, and Mikaela Thiel (Fort Morgan, CO) handed out 11 assists to go along with nine digs.  As a team, the Privateers outdug the Gryphons 56-52.

For Sarah Lawrence, Athena Kazos registered a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs.  Georgi Massey posted a match-high 15 digs and added seven kills, while Nikolet Vataj tallied eight kills.  Valerie Hertig, meanwhile, recorded 31 assists and four service aces.

After playing three straight at home, the Privateers hit the road for each of their next three matches.  Maritime begins the stretch with a 6 p.m. showdown at Old Westbury (4-10, 1-5 Skyline) on Wednesday.