KINGS POINT, N.Y.-- Coast Guard volleyball clinched the first point of the 2019-20 Superintendent's Trophy race in a 3-1 victory over Merchant Marine on Thursday evening. The Bears improve to 6-3, while the Mariners drop to 2-4.

Sophomore Mary Sweet had a game-high four block assists, one block solo, and added seven kills for the Bears. Classmate Amanda Dake led the Bears with a team-high 10 kills and 10 digs.

Senior Angelou Dunton and freshman Noelle Tursky both added nine kills each, Dunton also had 11 digs and three aces and Tursky chipped in 16 assists. Senior Makenna Martin tallied a team-high 23 assists and junior Veronica Hine had a game-high 24 digs.

Paige Smith led the Mariners with a double-double with 15 kills and 13 digs. Kyliegh Kappas tallied a game-high 25 assists and Nicole Ibinson had a team-high 15 digs for Merchant Marine.

The Bears took the first set 27-25. They jumped out to a 6-2 lead to begin the set but the Mariners battled back and kept each other within two points until the Bears took advantage of an error by Merchant Marine to win the first set.

Coast Guard won the second set as they jumped ahead 10-3 as they held an eight point lead throughout the set, extending towards the 25-15 final.

The Mariners won the third set, 25-21. With the scored tied 21-21, Merchant Marine scored the last four points to take their only set of the night.

With a huge block in the fourth set by junior Bridget Boyle and Sweet, the Bears tied the set 10-10 and went on the score the following seven points to take a 17-10 lead. The Bears won the fourth and final set 25-18.

Coast Guard is back in action on Saturday, September 14 at 10 AM and 2 PM in a tri-match against Union and Williams.