The Middlebury volleyball team topped in-state foe Saint Michael's 3-0 in its home opener. With the victory, the Panthers have now won five consecutive matches in Pepin Gymnasium. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Middlebury raced out to a 5-0 advantage and never looked back in the first set. 
• The Panthers increased their lead to 16-3 on a kill by Katie Kraczkowsky. 
• Saint Michael's cut the deficit down to 10 (20-10), but Middlebury claimed five of the next seven points to secure the 25-12 opening-set win.
• The middle frame began much like the first, as the Panthers jumped out to a commanding 12-4 advantage.
• The Purple Knights slowly chipped away at the Middlebury lead, closing the gap to one (22-21) on a kill by Ella Patterson. 
• The Panthers answered with three-straight points, capped by a service ace from Gabby Pribisich to triumph 25-21.
• The third set was a back-and-forth affair, with Saint Michael's taking a 4-1 early edge.
• Middlebury responded with a 12-2 run, highlighted by a pair of kills from Molly Harrison and two service aces from Campbell Keller, to make it 13-6.
• The Purple Knights wouldn't go away, cutting the lead down to a pair of points on three occasions, but that was as close as they would get.
• The Panthers tallied the final three points of the set to earn the 25-20 victory and the three-set sweep. 

NOTES

• The programs met for the 31st time, with Middlebury claiming its 25th victory over Saint Michael's.
• The Panthers have won seven-straight matches by 3-0 scores against the Purple Knights. 

Middlebury continues its home stand this weekend, kicking off NESCAC play when it hosts Williams on Friday and Amherst on Saturday.