BRONXVILLE, N.Y. — The Sarah Lawrence College women's volleyball team extended its winning streak to five matches on Saturday, October 10, earning its first-ever victory over Elizabethtown College before defeating FDU-Florham in a five-set thriller. The Gryphons improved to 1-2 all-time against the Blue Jays and secured their third consecutive victory over the Devils, highlighted by a historic team performance and multiple individual program records.
Against Elizabethtown, Sarah Lawrence celebrated a milestone victory while several Gryphons recorded season highs. Siemsen contributed a season-high six kills, while Nikolet Vataj and Charlee Leonard each recorded one assist to establish season highs. Evie Iceton also posted a season-high six digs as the Gryphons earned their first win in the all-time series.
Sarah Lawrence carried that momentum into its matchup with FDU-Florham, battling to a 3-2 victory by set scores of 25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 25-27, and 15-12. After winning the opening two sets, the Gryphons weathered a determined comeback from the Devils before closing out the decisive fifth set to secure their fifth consecutive victory.
Vataj led the offensive attack with a record-setting performance, finishing with a career-high 30 kills to establish a new Sarah Lawrence individual-match program record. Her 93 total attack attempts also set a program record for an individual match. Vataj added a career-high 30 points and 19 digs, recording her ninth double-double of the season, third consecutive double-double, and 26th career double-double. Her 30-kill outing marked the first time in her career she had reached the 30-kill plateau.
Sophia Costa also rewrote the record book, distributing a career-high 59 assists to break her own Sarah Lawrence individual-match program record of 56 assists. The performance marked her second 50-plus-assist outing and her 14th career double-double. Costa also recorded her fourth double-double of the season, helping orchestrate the Gryphons' record-setting offensive attack.
Caroline Combs delivered another standout performance, recording 19 kills and a season-high 26 digs. Her effort marked her eighth double-double of the season and third consecutive double-double, providing a significant contribution on both sides of the ball.
Defensively, Kai Perkins anchored the back row with a season-high 44 digs, tying the Sarah Lawrence program record for digs in an individual match. The performance marked the first 40-plus-dig outing of her career and helped the Gryphons withstand FDU-Florham's late-match push.
Bailey Gordon contributed a season-high seven points, two digs, and four total blocks against the Devils. Guemple also established season highs with one assist and 12 digs, while Iceton recorded a season-high two assists. Leonard added nine kills to the offensive effort.
As a team, Sarah Lawrence delivered a historic statistical performance against FDU-Florham, establishing program records in four categories. The Gryphons recorded 67 kills, 65 assists, 128 digs, and 232 total attack attempts, setting new team individual-match benchmarks across their offense and defense. Sarah Lawrence edged the Devils in kills, 67-66, and assists, 65-61, while holding an 8-7 advantage in total blocks.
The record-breaking totals reflected the Gryphons' determination throughout the five-set battle. After FDU-Florham rallied to even the match at two sets apiece, Sarah Lawrence regrouped and prevailed in the deciding set to complete the victory.
The two wins extended the Gryphons' winning streak to five matches, pairing the program's first-ever victory over Elizabethtown with a record-setting performance against FDU-Florham. With Vataj establishing new individual records for kills and attack attempts, Costa surpassing her own assists mark, Perkins tying the program record for digs, and the team setting four match records, Sarah Lawrence continued to build momentum as the season progresses.
Sarah Lawrence will look to extend its winning streak against Yeshiva University on Tuesday, October 13, at 6 p.m. in Bronxville, N.Y.
