ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — The Western New England University women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Tuesday evening, earning a 3-0 victory over Bard College at the Stevenson Athletic Center. The Golden Bears claimed the match by set scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 25-22 to begin the season 1-0.
Records
Western New England University: 1-0
Bard College: 0-1
How It Happened
Set One
- Western New England established control early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead behind a pair of Barber kills and two aces from Chagnon. Bard answered with a short run to pull within one, but the Golden Bears continued to apply pressure offensively.
- WNE held a 15-8 advantage midway through the set before Bard began to chip away at the deficit. The Raptors eventually pulled within three at 18-15, but the Golden Bears maintained their composure down the stretch. Barber delivered another kill to push WNE to set point at 24-21, and Chagnon followed with an ace to give the Golden Bears the 25-21 victory.
- Barber paced WNE with seven kills in the opening set.
Set Two
- Bard came out with its strongest start of the match in the second set, building an early 3-1 lead before the Golden Bears settled into a rhythm. WNE responded with a 7-0 run that featured kills from Barber and Ross along with a pair of blocks, giving the Golden Bears a 9-3 advantage.
- The Raptors fought back throughout the middle portion of the set, eventually trimming the deficit to 20-15. Bard continued its push late, closing within one at 22-21 after a service ace and an attack error.
- WNE answered with a kill from Morgan Bonin to regain momentum, followed by a block and an ace from Chagnon to put the Golden Bears ahead 23-21. After Bard pulled within one, Barber delivered a kill for set point before WNE closed out the frame, 25-23.
Set Three
- The third set proved to be the most competitive of the night. Bard opened with a 3-0 lead and later held an 11-6 advantage as the Golden Bears worked to regain control.
- WNE steadily chipped away at the deficit, using kills from Garland, Barber, and Bonin to pull even at 19-19. The teams remained within a point of each other through the final stages before the Golden Bears created separation.
- With the score tied at 21-21, Bonin put WNE ahead with a kill, followed by a block that extended the advantage to 22-21. Chagnon then delivered an ace to make it 23-21. Bard answered with a point, but Barber finished the match with a kill to give the Golden Bears a 25-22 set victory and complete the sweep.
Key Performances
- Barber powered the Golden Bears throughout the match, finishing with 20 kills on 42 attacks for a .357 hitting percentage. She also contributed 10 digs, three blocks, and two service aces.
- Chagnon added four aces, seven digs, and four points from her serving and defensive contributions, while Garland totaled five kills, two aces, five digs, and seven points. Bonin recorded five kills and a team-best three blocks.
- Ross directed the Golden Bears' offense with 17 assists, while Stauss added nine. Porcaro and Hilarie led WNE with 11 digs, helping the Golden Bears finish with a 53-45 advantage in the category.
- As a team, WNE recorded 41 kills compared to 31 for Bard and hit .250 for the match. The Golden Bears also held advantages in blocks (4-2), assists (37-28), and digs (53-45).
Up Next
- Western New England heads west for the Pacific Coast Classic in Claremont, California, where the Golden Bears will take on Carleton College on Friday, September 4, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
