PURCHASE, N.Y. — The Sarah Lawrence College women's volleyball team extended its winning streak to eight matches on Saturday, October 17, earning a 3-0 sweep of Purchase College in Skyline Conference action. The Gryphons claimed the victory by set scores of 25-13, 25-17, and 25-19 to improve to 19-2 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
The eight-match winning streak marks Sarah Lawrence's longest since 2006. With 19 victories this season, the Gryphons have also tied the program record for most wins in a single season, matching the 2012 squad. Sarah Lawrence has also won nine consecutive sets, continuing its strong run of form heading into the final stretch of conference play.
Nikolet Vataj led the Gryphons with 14 kills, adding two service aces, a career-high three assists, two blocks, and nine digs. Caroline Combs contributed 10 kills and two aces, while Olivia Richard recorded nine kills on 12 attempts, finishing with a team-best .750 hitting percentage, the highest mark of her career.
Sophia Costa orchestrated the offense with 32 assists and added a career-high six kills. Eva Anderson paced the defense with 13 digs, recording her second double-digit dig performance of the season. Milly Guemple also tallied her second double-digit dig performance of the year with 11 digs, while Bailey Gordon anchored the net with a season-high four blocks.
Sarah Lawrence set the tone in the opening set, hitting .459 with 18 kills and just one error to secure a 25-13 win. The Gryphons continued to control the match in the second, posting 13 kills and a .310 hitting percentage en route to a 25-17 victory.
Purchase challenged the Gryphons in the third set, but Sarah Lawrence maintained its advantage to close out the sweep, 25-19. The Gryphons finished the match with 42 kills, a .348 hitting percentage, 39 assists, and six total blocks.
With the victory, Sarah Lawrence remains unbeaten in Skyline Conference play at 5-0 and improves to 19-2 overall, matching the program's single-season wins record. The Gryphons and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are the only two teams still undefeated in conference action, setting the stage for a pivotal matchup on Wednesday, October 21, at Campbell Sports Center. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
