Dean Downs Wildcats in Volleyball Opener

8/30/24- Franklin, MA

The Dean College Bulldogs women's volleyball team rallied from a first-set loss to win three straight and take the match over Bay Path University in the 2024 season opener in Franklin, Mass. on Friday. Dean dropped the first set 25-16, but responded with wins of 25-18, 25-13, and 25-19. 

The Bulldogs were led by sophomore Chloe Demaio (Medfield, Mass.) who finished with a game-high ten kills on the night. Senior Emily Ball (Feeding Hills, Mass.) registered nine kills while also adding six digs, and senior Emily Larouche (Agawam, Mass.) added six kills and six digs. Senior Anabella Driscoll (Plymouth, Mass.) paced the Bulldog offense with 22 assists. Junior Skylar Raskevitz (Easthampton, Mass.) and sophomore Olivia Mackinnon (Plymouth, Mass.) collected 14 and 10 digs respectively.

The visitors broke open a close battle midway through the first set, ripping off six straight points to collect 21-12 lead late in the frame. Bay Path scored four of the final six points to take the opening game 25-16. Dean battled back in the second set, trailing 12-10 early but scoring six straight of their own in the middle of the game to take a commanding lead, en route to a 25-18 win. The Bulldogs controlled the third set from the beginning, jumping out to a 4-0 lead and later expanding their lead to 18-7 on the back of eight straight points with Raskevitz serving. The final set featured back and forth action, but the Bulldogs scored the final four points, including a service ace from Mackinnon for the final dagger, to close out the set and the match.

Bay Path was led by junior, Anastasiya Tsetsko (Horsham, PA) with 10 kills, while Lilly Kibbe (Ware, MA) and Asja Kazic (West Jordan, UT) had seven kills apiece.  First Year Zormar Betancourt (San Juan, PR) had 16 assists and 8 digs in the match and Shanayah St Pahard (Springfield, MA) chipped in with 15 digs for the Wildcats.

Bay Path University returns to action on Thursday, September 5 when they host Holyoke Community College at  7 pm. 

Story contributed by the Dean College Sports Information Department