BRADFORD, Pa. – The Pitt-Bradford volleyball team opened its 2014 season with a 3-0 shutout victory over Bard College on Friday, Aug. 29. The Panthers defeated the Raptors 25-19, 25-19 and 25-13.

Pitt-Bradford (1-0) is taking part in the University of Scranton Tournament this weekend in Scranton, Pa. Senior Brittni Cumberland got the Panthers off to a fast start for the year with 10 kills, 14 assists and six digs. She tacked on three block assists as well. Senior Taylor McMillen was close behind with 11 kills, two assists and one dig.

Junior Jenessa Ceprish provided solid defensive play and led the Panthers defensively with 12 digs. Sophomore Kelsey Repke also had a strong defensive performance and turned in nine digs of her own.

The Panthers surrendered the first two points of the first game before finding their rhythm offensively. When Pitt-Bradford grabbed a 5-4 lead early, they did not lose the edge for the remainder of game one. Pitt-Bradford jumped ahead 1-0 in the match.

In game two, the Panthers got down 15-8 when McMillen went to work at the service line. The senior served 10 straight points to give the Panthers the lead and eventual victory in game two.

Game three belonged to Pitt-Bradford as the Panthers secured the first point of the match on a service ace from McMillen. A three-point lead quickly grew to set and match point, with the victory going to the Panthers on a Bard attacking error.

Pitt-Bradford squares off with Wentworth at 9 p.m. for the night cap of day one. The Panthers also return to the court tomorrow morning for an 11:30 a.m. match with Keystone to start the action for day two.