BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The Sarah Lawrence College women's volleyball team continued its strong start to the 2026 season Tuesday, September 15, sweeping Baruch College, 3-0, at the Campbell Sports Center. The Gryphons won by set scores of 25-14, 25-23 and 25-21 to improve to 7-1 on the season and extend their winning streak to three matches and nine consecutive sets.
The 7-1 start marks Sarah Lawrence's best opening eight-match record since the 2022 season, when the Gryphons also began the year 7-1.
Sarah Lawrence finished the match with a .164 hitting percentage compared to .085 for Baruch (3-3). The Gryphons also held advantages in points (53-40), kills (38-30), service aces (11-4), assists (37-30) and digs (51-47). Baruch held a 6-4 edge in blocks.
Freshman
Caroline Combs led the Gryphons offensively with 15 kills while adding five digs, a solo block and a service ace.
Nikolet Vataj recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 kills and 14 digs, while
Charlee Leonard contributed six kills while hitting a team-best .294.
Sophomore setter
Sophia Costa directed the Sarah Lawrence offense with 31 assists and added six digs, three service aces, two kills and a block assist.
Rookie libero
Kai Perkins turned in a season-best performance, recording 18 digs, five assists and four service aces, following her Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week selection.
Baruch took an early 7-6 lead before Sarah Lawrence answered with a 13-3 run to take control at 20-9. The Bearcats trimmed the deficit to seven at 21-14, but the Gryphons closed the frame with four consecutive points. Vataj recorded two kills during the closing run, while Perkins capped the set with a service ace as SLC secured the 25-14 victory.
The Gryphons opened the second set with four straight points and built a 12-6 advantage. Baruch responded with six consecutive points to even the score at 12-12.
After SLC took a 15-14 lead, the Gryphons scored three straight, including back-to-back service aces from Perkins, to take an 18-14 advantage. Sarah Lawrence maintained the lead late and held on for a 25-23 victory, moving within one set of the sweep.
Sarah Lawrence built a 12-8 lead in the deciding set before Baruch answered with a 5-0 run, highlighted by three kills from Erica Peralta, to take a 13-12 lead.
The Gryphons regained the advantage at 16-14 following three consecutive Baruch errors. With the score tied at 19-19, Combs sparked a decisive 5-0 SLC run with a kill, putting the Gryphons at match point, 24-19.
Baruch scored twice to extend the set, but Combs finished the match with her 15th kill, giving Sarah Lawrence the 25-21 set victory and the 3-0 sweep.
Tuesday's victory marked Sarah Lawrence's second all-time win over Baruch and its first since a five-set victory in 2021. The Bearcats lead the all-time series, 4-2.
Sarah Lawrence returns to action Saturday, September 19, traveling to Drew University for a tri-match. The Gryphons will face Saint Elizabeth at 2 p.m. before taking on host Drew at 4 p.m.
Â
Â
