Volleyball Falls to Elms in Season Opener, 3-0

CHICOPEE, Mass. -- The visiting Bridgewater State University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Elms College on Tuesday night at Picknelly Arena.

The match marked the season opener for the visiting Bears (0-1) and first-year head coach Richie Gomes Jr..

With the win, the host Blazers (4-0) extend their winning streak to four matches to start the season.

Elms won the first two sets, 25-20 and 25-19, before completing the sweep with a 25-15 victory in the third set.

Senior outside hitter Danielle Redding (Las Vegas, Nev.) led all players with nine kills, while senior middle hitter Rachel Magnuson (Miller Place, N.Y.) recorded eight kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Sophomore setter Govanna Rosada (Humaco, P.R.) dished out a match-high 27 assists and added two kills and three aces. Freshman libero Kianna Lozada (Bayamon, P.R) played well on the defensive side with a match-best 27 digs.

Senior outside hitter Kayla Baril (Seekonk, Mass.) paced Bridgewater State with eight kills and ten digs, while sophomore right side hitter Alexis Duarte (Fairhaven, Mass.) notched five kills and a pair of aces. Senior setter Picabo Miskiv (Barnstable, Mass.) and sophomore setter Casey Holmes (Norton, Mass.) combined for 17 assists. Senior libero Cassidy Tyros (Chelmsford, Mass.) registered a team-best 12 digs.

Bridgewater struggled on the attack and on the serve as the Bears posted a .026 hitting percentage and finished with 14 serving errors.

In upcoming action, the Bears host Rhode Island College on Saturday at noon while the Blazers travel to the University of Saint Joseph on Thursday night for a seven o'clock match with the Blue Jays.