STANDISH, Maine -- Chandler McGrath led Bates with 11 kills, Hannah Tardie paced the Bobcats with 16 assists and Laryssa Schepel finished with a team-best 27 digs as Bates rallied from two sets down only to fall to Saint Joseph's (ME) in five sets 11-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 12-15 Thursday night.

The Monks of Saint Joseph's (22-4) looked like they had complete control of the match against the Bobcats (7-12). But Bates showed the fight that's already clinched them a spot in the NESCAC tournament by scratching their way back in the non-conference battle.

In set one, the Monks used an early 6-0 run to take command. They never took the foot off the pedal, although Bates did pull to within three after a Mary Deneen service ace made it 10-7 in favor of the Monks. Saint Joseph's proceeded to score 10 of the next 12 points to run away with the set.

The Bobcats showed significant improvement in set two as they jumped out to a 15-9 lead thanks to a 10-0 run midway through the set. Claire Naughton tallied four kills as part of the run. But the Monks responded, scoring 10 of the next 13 points to take a one-point lead. The teams traded points and a McGrath kill evened the set at 20. Unfortunately for Bates, Saint Joseph's went on a 5-0 run after that to go up 2-0 in the match.

Bates came roaring back in the third set. The Bobcats led 22-19 when Saint Joseph's scored three unanswered to tie the set at 22. Bates called time and regrouped nicely. Naughton picked up a kill, a bad set by the Monks followed, and a McGrath kill clinched the set for the Bobcats.

Bates won the fourth set by the identical 25-22 score. The key to success in the fourth set was Bates making only eight errors and picking up 10 kills as a team. Compare that to the first set where they only had two kills and made 12 errors.

The all-important fifth set was a nailbiter as neither team could pull away. But in the end the Monks hung on to win by three points, snapping the Bobcats' three-game winning streak against Saint Joseph's.

Bates volleyball is back in action this Saturday as they play two matches in Boston. They take on Framingham St. at 1:00 and Emerson at 3:00.