ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. –  The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College men's volleyball team defeated Bard College in the team's first United Volleyball Conference matchup, 3-0, on Friday evening inside Stevenson Athletic Center. With the win, Fisher, who is ranked 13th in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, improves to 12-3 on the season and 1-0 in conference play, while Bard moves to 6-8 on the year and 0-6 in conference play. 
 
Paul Hackford and Matt Cieplicki led the offense for the Cardinals as the duo tallied eight kills apiece followed by Graham Brodsky with five kills. Matt Beiter made his presence felt at the service line as the junior produced a team-high four aces along with three digs to his name. On the defensive end, Hackford and Jake Baker created two blocks each, while freshman setter Gavin Newman assisted on 18 kills and notched three digs.  
 
The first set was all Fisher as the team started off on a 10-2 run behind three Baker kills and three service aces from Beiter. 
 
From there, the Cardinals offense stayed hot as kills from Hackford and Baker improved the lead to 11 with the road team controlling a 22-11 advantage. Fisher was able to claim the set, 25-13, following a kill by freshman middle blocker Griffin Stella.
 
Leading 1-0 in the match, head coach Stephen England's squad didn't hold back as it jumped out to a 14-7 lead after Beiter notched his fourth ace of the game. 
 
As the set wore on, the Raptors were able to close the gap down to four points trailing the Cardinals 21-17, before a pair of kills by Cieplicki and Hackford gave Fisher match point. 
 
Leading 24-18, Hackford and Zach Ciraolo combined for a set-winning block to take the frame and lead 2-0 in the match. 
 
Up two sets to none, the Cardinals continued to dominate on the court as kills by Cieplicki and Ciraolo gave the road team a 20-13 advantage.
 
From there, Fisher was able to close out the set 25-18, following a Brodsky kill to sweep the match 3-0.
 
As a team, Fisher hit .438 in the win, while tallying 38 kills and 11 aces.
 
Fisher will be back in action at 1 p.m. on Saturday as they travel to New Paltz take on the nationally-ranked Hawks in a United Volleyball Conference matchup.