BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University volleyball team opened up the MASCAC portion of their schedule with a 3-1 victory over visiting Salem State University on Tuesday evening at the Tinsley Center.

After winning the first set, 25-15, Bridgewater dropped a 25-21 decision in set two.  The host Bears then closed out the match by scores of 25-13 and 25-18.

Bridgewater improves to 3-4 on the season and 1-0 in the MASCAC, while Salem falls to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Junior hitters Tayler Beck (Marion, Mass.) and Danielle Dean (Gilford, N.H.) provided the offensive punch for the Bears with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.  Beck also added an ace and  two blocks (one solo), while Dean recorded nine digs and a pair of blocks (one solo).

Junior setter Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) notched 37 assists to go along with four kills and an ace.  Classmate Kristen Robillard (Swansea, Mass.) chipped in with 16 digs and a pair of aces.

Sophomore outside hitter Sarah Mullarkey (Salem, Mass.) also had a strong game for the Bears as she finished with 17 digs, four kills and an assisted block. 

The Bears finished with 46 kills in the match as opposed to just 22 for the Vikings.  Both teams struggled with their serve at times as Salem made 12 service errors and Bridgewater nine.

Salem was led by senior Brittany Roscoe (Lowell, Mass.) who finished with 21 digs, three kills and two aces.  Senior setter MacKenzie Carpenter (Peabody, Mass.) added 14 assist and five digs, while freshman hitter Shuly Sejour (Chelsea, Mass.) and junior hitter Jazmin Santos (Lawrence, Mass.) registered six kills apiece.  Santos also recorded nine digs and four blocks (one solo).

In upcoming action, Bridgewater travels to Regis College on Thursday night for a seven o'clock non-conference match with the Pride.  Salem heads to Lesley University on Thursday to take on the Lynx at eight.