NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Bloomfield College volleyball team earned a split on the road in a tri-match at Pelz Gymnasium, home of the Southern Connecticut State University Owls. Bloomfield defeated the hosts 3-0 before dropping their first game of the season to West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) on Saturday. The split leaves the Bears with a 3-1 overall record heading into Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) action next week.
 
Bloomfield battled in the first set and used a 4-1 run to tie the match at 7-apiece. The two teams would trade points for most of the set until the Bears clawed out a 5-0 run to end the set 25-19.
 
The Owls kept up their strong play and battled the Bears to a close 25-23 loss in the second set. Bloomfield jumped out to an early 5-1 lead in the third set and continued on for a 25-20 win and a 3-0 shut out in the match.
 
CACC Honor Roll member, Valerie Bermudez (San Juan, P.R.) continued her outstanding play, recording 15 kills, 12 digs and 5 blocks in the first match of the day. Sophomore libero, Samantha Rios (Juncos, P.R.) had 14 digs and Jacquelyn Madlock and transfer Edmarie Freytes each had 14 assists to pace the Bears offense.
 
In the second match of the day, Bloomfield seemed poised to repeat their performance of the first when they jumped out to a 18-11 advantage in the opening set. WCU then went on a 5-0 run that forced a timeout by the Bears head coach. Bloomfield would regain their composure and finish out Set 1 with a 25-23 win.
 
The Golden Rams would return the favor in second set with their own 25-23 victory to even the match at 1-1. The momentum shifted in set three as WCU commanded a 25-18 win and closed out the match 25-22 in the fourth set.
 
Rios tied her career high of 30 digs in the second game of the afternoon. Bermudez added 13 kills and 9 digs as junior Nayade Paulino (Paterson, N.J.) came on to record 8 blocks against the Golden Rams.
 
The Bears will continue their season opening road trip with a visit to the 'City of Brotherly Love' Tuesday to take on the Tigers of Holy Family University. Game time is set for 7:00pm as both teams look to battle in their first CACC match-up. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, from the Bloomfield College athletic department by liking the Bears on Facebook and following the Bears on Twitter or Instagram @GO_BCBears. Use the hashtag #BCBears to join the conversation.