PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College women's volleyball was defeated by the United States Merchant Marine Academy in straight sets Thursday night, as the two squads opened Skyline Conference play. 

Set scores for the match were 25-16, 25-15 and 25-14. 

With the loss, the Panthers dropped to 0-2 on the year, while the Mariners of USMMA improved to 6-1 overall.

On the night, the Mariners raced out to at least a 7-1 margin in all three frames, putting the Panthers in a major hole throughout. Despite that fact, Purchase battled hard all game long, never ceding easy points to the visitors. 

For the match, the guests finished with a .250 hitting percentage and 29 kills. Meanwhile, the Panthers recorded totals of 13 kills and -.130 hitting mark.

Individually, Gia Gwin (SR/Yonkers, NY) finished with four kills and three aces to lead the Purchase offense. Pamella Gonzalez (JR/ Bronx, NY) tallied three kills and seven digs, while Karina Medina (SR/Brooklyn, NY) added 10 assists and seven digs. 

Up next for the women's volleyball team is the first road contest of the year, as the Panthers travel to Medgar Evers College this weekend. That contest is scheduled for September 18th at 1 p.m.