BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University volleyball team posted their first win of the season as the Bears downed MASCAC rival Salem State University, 3-1 (25-16, 27-25, 21-25, 25-20), on Wednesday night in Salem.

The visiting Bears improve to 1-8 on the season and 1-0 in the MASCAC. Salem falls to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

After dropping a 25-16 decision in the opening set, Salem played the Bears tough and nearly won their first set of the year before losing, 27-25, in the second.  The Vikings finally broke through in the third set winning, 25-21.  Bridgewater closed out the match with a 25-20 victory in the fourth.

BSU sophomore outside hitter Danielle Dean (Gilford, N.H.) paced the visitors with a season-high 13 kills to go along with 25 digs and two aces.  Sophomore setter Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) added 16 assists and five kills, while sophomore libero Kristen Robillard (Swansea, Mass.) notched 24 digs.

The Bears recorded ten aces in the match, led by four from freshman setter Lisa Vega (Milford, Mass.), but were also victimized by 14 serving errors.

Salem State was led by senior setter Jazmin Barrows (New Bedford, MA) who collected 33 assists.  Senior outside hitter Rachel Murphy (Wallingford, Conn.) collected 12 kills while sophomore hitter Jazmin Santos (Lawrence, Mass.) chipped in with 11 kills.

Salem State is back in action tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM against Lesley University while the Bears travel to Regis College on Saturday for a tri-match with host Regis and Husson University.