Purchase, NY (Sept. 24, 2015) – Bard College earned a hard-fought 3-0 win at Purchase Thursday night.

The visiting Raptors improved to 5-8 in the non-conference victory. Bard took the match 25-21, 25-9, 25-20.

Purchase (0-6) challenged in an impressive first game. The back-and-forth affair saw the Panthers behind 17-12 before rattling off three straight points and later closing to 20-18. Head coach Albana Krasniqi utilized a key timeout late in the set as Purchase stayed within two. However, with the contest at 22-21, Bard rallied for the final three points in the opener to seize the first set, 25-21.

The service of the visitors, particularly standout Victoria Chou determined the second set. The sophomore started an early rally as the Raptors raced out to a 7-2 margin after Purchase opened with the set's first point. Bard pushed the lead to 10-4, but the resilient Panthers got back to 18-9 before Chou reappeared in the service game to close the match 25-9.

The third set mirrored the opener with the hosts performing well. The Panthers took a 7-3 advantage and moments later led 10-4. Bard then rallied in another see-saw set, rattling off a series of points to tie it 11-11. Purchase responded behind Alex Lally (JR/Sunnyvale, TX) and the service game, taking a 13-11 and 16-14 lead.

The match would be tied at 17-17. The Raptors once again used the serve to mount a comeback, taking a 22-20 advantage before closing the match on three straight points for the 25-20 win.    

Bard's Sofia Koukia led all players with a match-high 23 kills. Chou handed out 26 assists for the Raptors. Libero Philippine Alba led the way defensively with 11 digs.

For Purchase, the Panthers were paced by rookie Logan Morrissey (FR/Woodbridge, CT) and her six kills. Lally added 11 assists, while teammate and libero Victoria Blum (JR/Bronx, NY) totaled a team-high seven digs.