Box Score 

Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (Sept. 17, 2014) – It may have been a 3-0 loss, but the Purchase women's volleyball team showed its mettle in a hard-fought showing at Bard Wednesday night.

The host Raptors were pushed to the brink in every single set in a close 25-23, 26-24, 25-19 final.

"It's an improvement for us," said Purchase head coach Marc Solondz. "The team played well and despite the loss, it's something we can build from."

The first set was tied eight times. Bard trailed 14-10 at one point, then tied it at 20-20. The final tie was at 23-23, before a service error and an attack error by Purchase gave the Raptors the first set, 25-23.

Bard (2-10) was down most of the second set, including 6-2 and 20-16. They eventually tied it on an ace by Zoe Morgan-Weinman at 22-22, then fought off two sets points with consecutive kills from Rebecca Speckenbach to tie it again at 24-24. An ace by Lexi Cooper and another kill from Speckenbach closed out the set, 26-24.

Bard jumped out to a 19-9 lead in the third set and the Panthers (1-13) battled but never caught up. They got as close as 21-18, but Bard finished the match, 25-19.

Purchase got six kills from Jenna Nardi (SR/Yorktown Heights, NY), 18 assists from Alex Lally (SO/Sunnyvale, TX) and 10 digs from Sarah Gabler (SO/East Concord, NY).

Bard got eight kills, three aces and 11 digs from Philippine Alba and four aces and 13 assists from Lexi Cooper.

Purchase will now take part in the Keystone tournament this weekend.