ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Gallaudet University men's volleyball team dropped a tri-match here Saturday in the Stevenson Athletic Center on the campus of Bard College.

Gallaudet (3-11) went the distance against Curry College but lost in five sets, 3-2. The Bison turned around to face the host Raptors from Bard and lost in straight sets, 3-0.

Curry (9-9) took the first and third sets against GU by the scores of 23-25 and 15-25. The Bison bounced back both times to tie the match. Gallaudet took the second set, 25-22, and the fourth set, 25-13. The match went to a fifth decisive set. The final set was close early before Curry had to 3-0 runs to help get some distance against the Bison en route to an 11-15 win.

Sophomore outside hitter Zachary Bippus (Fishers, Ind.) recorded a career-high 24 kills and added 11 digs for a double-double. Fellow sophomore outside hitter Kodi Lee (Lehi, Utah) set season highs for kills (14) and digs (17). Sophomore setter Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.) was one assist shy of his career-high of 47. Holcomb completed the double-double with 46 assists and 14 digs. Sophomore middle hitter Luke McBrine (Weymouth, Mass.) set a career high for blocks with seven.

The Colonels had six players with seven or more kills as Nicholas Watson led the way with 10. Setter Nyko Whitaker passed out 34 assists and made nine digs in the win.

GU turned around to face Bard (9-9) and lost 16-25, 21-25, 17-25. The Bison had trouble establishing the service game with 11 errors while Bard served up six aces. Gallaudet's offense was limited as Bippus tallied six kills and Holcomb passed out 18 assists. Sophomore libero Elian Zfati (Brooklyn, N.Y.) finished with 14 digs and had 29 on the day.

The Raptors were led offensively by Pearse Esposito's 12 kills and nine digs while Ansel Waisler tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs.

UP NEXT
Gallaudet will begin conference play this Tuesday, March 3, at Immaculata University (1-3) at 7 p.m.