BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The Sarah Lawrence College women's volleyball team continued its strong start to the 2026 season Thursday, September 3, sweeping Pratt Institute, 25-23, 25-9, 25-19, at the Campbell Sports Center.

With the victory, the Gryphons improve to 2-0 on the season, while Pratt falls to 0-1.

Sarah Lawrence controlled the match statistically, finishing with advantages in points (51-23), kills (37-15), service aces (11-2), assists (33-14) and digs (40-29). Pratt held the edge in blocks, 6-3.
Junior Nikolet Vataj and rookie Caroline Combs paced the Gryphons offensively, combining for 24 kills. Combs posted a double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs while adding a match-high five service aces. Vataj also finished with 12 kills, along with three digs and a block assist.

Sophomore setter Sophia Costa orchestrated the Sarah Lawrence offense with 31 assists while adding six digs, one kill and a block assist. Defensively, rookie Kai Perkins anchored the Gryphons with 11 digs and three aces. Sophomore Eva Anderson also contributed three aces, five digs and an assist.

Sarah Lawrence came out firing in the opening set, jumping to an 8-1 advantage behind three kills from Vataj and a pair of aces and a kill from Combs. Pratt answered with a 6-0 run to pull within one, 8-7, but the Gryphons quickly regained control with an 8-2 surge to take a 16-9 lead.

The Cannoneers mounted a late comeback, using a 6-1 run to close within 24-23 after Sarah Lawrence committed four errors during the stretch. Combs ended the threat with a kill to give the Gryphons the 25-23 victory. Vataj led all players with eight kills in the opening frame.

The Gryphons carried their momentum into the second set, scoring the first four points on kills from Costa, Jenna Lehnhart and Combs.  After Pratt trimmed the deficit to 5-4, Sarah Lawrence responded with an 11-2 run to take a commanding 16-6 advantage. The Gryphons never looked back, closing out the set, 25-9. Combs led the way with six kills in the second frame as Sarah Lawrence took a 2-0 match lead.

The third set proved to be the most competitive of the night. Sarah Lawrence held a 13-10 lead before Pratt rallied with four consecutive points to take a 14-13 advantage. The Gryphons responded immediately, putting together a decisive 9-0 run to seize a 22-14 lead. Five Pratt errors helped fuel the surge. The Cannoneers fought back late, cutting the deficit to 24-19, but Vataj put the match away with her final kill of the night, securing the 3-0 sweep.

Sarah Lawrence returns to action Saturday, September 5, when the Gryphons host a tri-match at the Campbell Sports Center featuring Regis College and CCNY. Sarah Lawrence will face Regis at 11 a.m. before taking on CCNY at 3 p.m.