NEWBURGH, N.Y. – In the Skyline Conference opener for both teams, Mount Saint Mary College swept Bard College in straight sets (25-10, 25-13, 25-10). The Knights improved their record to 4-7 overall (1-0 Skyline), while the Raptors dropped back to even at 4-4 overall (0-1 Skyline).

The Knights dominated the opening set and then rushed out to a big lead in set two behind the serving of sophomore Mary Ann Raftery (Atlantic Beach, N.Y.). Raftery served nine consecutive points to give the Mount an 11-2 advantage and complete control of the set. Sophomore Lauren Halverson (Patchogue, N.Y.) served up the first seven points of set three and Raftery followed with five more to stake the Knights to an early 13-2 advantage.

Senior Elizabeth Douress (Rahway, N.J.) led the way for the Knights with eight kills, two blocks, and three digs. Raftery finished with four kills, five aces, and seven digs, while Halverson added two kills, four aces, and 25 assists. Junior Courtney Kenney (Hicksville, N.Y.) also turned in a solid performance, tallying four kills to go along with three aces and eight digs.

Mount Saint Mary will take part in a Skyline Conference quad match at the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Sunday, September 26. The Knights are scheduled to play Purchase College at 11:00 a.m. and Maritime College at 1:00 p.m. in Riverdale.