The Middlebury volleyball team battled late in Saturday's match, bringing the third set to a 25-25 tie, but ultimately fell to sixth-ranked Colby in straight sets on the road.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Mules jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first set. Evelyn Kunde powered the stretch with a pair of kills.
- A 3-3 split of the ensuing six rallies ensued, with Molly Harrison contributing two putaways. Brady Moseley sparked a 7-1 surge for the hosts by finding the floor twice to establish a 15-5 advantage.
- The Panthers secured six of the next eight points to trim the deficit to six (17-11). A trio of Colby errors and a service ace from Caroline Byrne fueled the run.
- Following a split of the next eight points, Gabby Grujic lifted her side with an ace to help close out four consecutive points and a 25-15 win in the opener for the Mules.
- Knotted at 3-3 in the second session, five different Mules posted accurate attacks during a 10-3 stint that pushed Colby in front by seven at 13-6. Cyanne Jones buoyed the run with a pair of sharp swings.
- After Middlebury claimed three of the next four, the hosts manufactured a 7-2 swing to rebuild a 21-11 advantage. Kendall Glover, Kunde and Brianna Hazak each thumped the hardwood in the stretch.
- Natalie Stanford helped the navy and white storm back with two kills amidst a 9-3 swell, but Issy Pribisich put the final point away to finalize the 25-20 outcome.
- The sides traded small swells early in the third frame, landing at an 11-10 Panther edge. Harrison posted four putaways in that span, while Moseley logged a trio for the Mules.
- Kunde ignited seven straight tallies for Colby with three kills, arranging a 17-11 line. Alternating points (5-4) made it 21-16 in favor of the hosts, but the Panthers stormed back into the frame with six of the next seven rallies to level the bout at 22-22.
- The teams found their way to a 25-25 deadlock before Haley Beigh and Glover tallied consecutive accurate attacks to seal the set (27-25) and the sweep.
NOTES
- Harrison powered the Panthers with 11 kills, while Stanford also reached double figures with 10 putaways.
- Rando amassed 23 digs in the match.
- The teams squared off for the 42nd time in the series
Middlebury heads to Massachusetts for the New England Challenge, beginning on Friday against #24 Babson at 7:00 p.m. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) serves as the host for the weekend slate.
