Wildcats Open Season With 3-2 Win Over Dean College

Bay Path Wildcats Edge Dean Bulldogs in Five-Set Thriller

Franklin, MA – In a high-stakes season opener at the Pieri Gymnasium, the Bay Path Wildcats clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Dean Bulldogs in a tightly contested NCAA Division III women's volleyball match on August 29, 2025. The match, attended by 121 spectators, showcased a relentless battle of skill and endurance over five closely-fought sets.

Despite a strong start by the Dean Bulldogs, who captured the first two sets 25-13 and 25-23 respectively, the Wildcats exhibited remarkable resilience and tactical adjustments to mount a thrilling comeback. Bay Path responded with a 25-22 win in the third set, followed by a commanding 25-23 finish in the fourth, and ultimately sealed their victory with a 15-13 triumph in the decisive fifth set.

Match Highlights:

- Anastasiya Tsetsko Shines: Bay Path's standout performer was Anastasiya Tsetsko, who delivered an impressive performance with 18 kills on 38 attempts, achieving an attack percentage of .368. Her decisive offensive plays were instrumental in shifting the momentum in favor of the Wildcats during critical junctures of the match.

- Balanced Team Effort: Bay Path's collective effort was evident, with contributions from Asja Kazic who recorded 9 kills and a service ace, as well as Victoria Burkovskiy, who provided 19 assists and chipped in with 3 service aces. The Wildcats tallied a total of 59 points across all sets, showcasing their depth and versatility in attacking and defense.

- Dean's Valient Defense: On the Dean Bulldogs' side, Caitlin Cooper and Chloe DeMaio each tallied 8 and 9 kills respectively, with Cooper sharing the highest hitting percentage of .368 alongside Tsetsko. Emma Siniscalchi excelled defensively, contributing 14 assists and 5 service aces.

- Service Aces and Errors: Dean demonstrated a strong presence at the service line with a total of 22 aces throughout the match, compared to Bay Path's 13. However, the Bulldogs were hindered by 19 errors on attack attempts, which played a crucial role in tilting the balance towards Bay Path.

The electrifying encounter at Franklin's Pieri Gymnasium sets the tone for an exciting season ahead for both teams. As Bay Path gears up for their next matches, their decisive opening victory serves as both a confidence booster and a testament to their resilience under pressure. Meanwhile, Dean will look to refine their game strategies and capitalize on their strengths to seek redemption as the season progresses.

Bay Path University next travels to Framingham State University for an 11am match on Saturday. August 30.