The Panthers (8-0, 2-0) remained undefeated with a 3-0 victory over Bates (1-4, 0-2) on Saturday in Pepin Gym. The 8-0 is start is the best in program history for Middlebury, as they prepare to host Amherst next Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Bobcats return to action on Wednesday when they entertain Maine Maritime.
 
With the first set tied at 7-7, Middlebury rattled off seven-straight points to take a 14-7 advantage behind a pair of kills from Lucy Ambach. The hosts extended the lead and emerged with a 25-12 set-one victory.
 
The Panthers jumped out to a 6-1 advantage in set two behind a pair of service aces and a kill from Katie Kraczkowsky. Bates got no closer than three for the remainder of the frame, as Middlebury went up 2-0 with the 25-13 win.
 
The Bobcats led 10-8 in the third and final set, before a 4-0 spurt put the home team up 12-10. The Panthers slowly increased their advantage, closing out the match with a 25-19 set-three victory.
 
Maggie Wise led Middlebury with a dozen kills, while hitting .435, while Corley Doyle earned eight kills and hit an impressive .615. Kraczkowsky picked up six kills in the match, Kelly Ferrero added 14 digs, while Gabbie O'Toole earned 26 assists.
 
Bates was paced by Katie Kortekaas and Emma Eide, who had four kills apiece, while Megan Seabury added nine digs. Eide and Seabury each also contributed with six assists each.