Middlebury opened the New England Challenge in solid fashion on Friday, snapping Springfield's (18-5) seven-game winning streak with a three-set victory. The Panthers (17-3) play twice on Saturday in the tournament held at Williams, facing #18 Massachusetts Institute of Technology at 11:00 a.m. and Babson at 3:30 p.m.

The opening set was tight early with six ties before the match was knotted at 9-9. The Panthers used an 8-2 run, highlighted by a kill and a solo block from Lucy Ambach to claim a 17-11 advantage. Middlebury led by 22-15 with the Pride storming back to pull even, but Middlebury recorded the final three points, capped on a Jane Nelson kill, for a 25-22 win.

The Panthers never trailed in the second stanza, breaking open a one-point set (3-2) with a 7-0 run and later using an 8-0 burst for a 23-4 cushion. Adelaide Mahler put the finishing touches on the win with a pair of successful attacks, while Maggie Wise came up big with seven kills in the 25-5 triumph.

Middlebury completed the sweep, using a nice rally in the final frame. Trailing 16-13, the Panthers jumped in front with a 4-0 run and after Springfield tied the score at 17-17, Middlebury reeled off four of the next five points for a three-point advantage at 21-18. Nelson put the Panthers at match point with a pair of kills, before a Pride service error finished the 25-20 victory.

Wise finished with a match-high 11 kills and boasted a hitting percentage of .370, while Laney Sullivan knocked down 10 kills. Gabbie O'Toole distributed 32 assists and Kelly Ferrero had 14 digs for Middlebury.

Natalie Billet led Springfield with nine kills, while Sara Labadorf had 22 assists and 14 digs.