The Middlebury volleyball team fell at Endicott (12-5) in straight sets (25-19, 25-23, 25-23) on Saturday afternoon in MacDonald Gymnasium. The Panthers (8-4) return to action at home Wednesday with a 7:00 p.m. match against Skidmore.

With Endicott up 9-8 in the first set, the Gulls went on a quick 4-1 run for a 13-9 lead before a kill from Middlebury's Lucy Ambach drew the Panthers back to within 21-18 later in the set on a service ace. Endicott tallied four of the next five points and claimed the opening set.

Trailing 10-6 in the second set, the Panthers put together five-straight points, capped by a service ace by Emma Walsh, for an 11-10 edge. With the score tied at 23-23 after trading small leads, the Gulls got a kill from Colleen McAvoy and a Middlebury attack error to take a two-set advantage.

The third set saw the Panthers grab a quick 7-2 lead on a kill by Jane Nelson. The Gulls slowly cut into the deficit, moving to within 12-10 on a kill by McAvoy. Middlebury tallied five-straight points for a 17-10 advantage on a kill from Ambach. The Gulls rattled off a 12-5 run, tying the set at 22-22 on a kill from Remi Quesnelle. Endicott completed the sweep with three of the last four points, capped by a kill from McAvoy on match point.

Maggie Wise paced the Middlebury offense with 13 kills to go along with a team-best 16 digs, while Nelson had 11 kills. Walsh handed out a team-best 21 assists, while Walsh and Ambach each had three service aces. Gigi Alper dug up 13 balls, while Corley Doyle had four block assists.

Quesnelle and McAvoy led Endicott with 12 kills apiece, while Amanda Gilbert produced 11. Zoey Gifford dished out 41 assists, while Mackenzie Kennedy finished with a match-best 17 digs. Nicole Winkler ended the match with seven kills and four block assists.