Lizzie Ahern posted a match-high 19 kills and Lauren Antion added 17 of her own, lifting Amherst past Middlebury 3-2 win at LeFrak Gym. After racing to a 2-0 lead with victories of 25-21 and 25-19, the Lord Jeffs fell victim to a fierce Panther rally, as the visitors took the next two sets, 25-13 and 25-22. Amherst would not be denied in the final set, jumping out to a big lead and then withstanding another Middlebury comeback to win, 15-12, and earn the thrilling match victory.

Amherst improved to 8-6 (4-3 NESCAC) with the triumph, while the Panthers missed a chance to tie Bowdoin and Williams atop the conference, falling to 13-5 (5-2 NESCAC).

Megan Jarchow's 17 kills led a balanced Middlebury attack, while Amy Hart added 14 kills and 20 digs and Julia Gibbs filled the stat sheet with 11 kills, 21 assists and 15 digs.

While Ahern and Antion starred on offense, Carter turned in a stellar all-around effort for Amherst with 45 assists, 10 digs and three aces. Emily Waterhouse finished with 11 kills and 13 digs, while Katie Warshaw and Kristin Keeno starred defensively for the Jeffs, posting 19 and 14 digs, respectively.

Libero Caitlin Barrett led the defensive effort for Middlebury with 25 digs, while Kathryn Haderlein traded setting duties with Gibbs and finished with 26 assists to go with five kills and an impressive .571 hitting percentage.

BOX SCORE