Bella Stone won in three sets at third singles in Bates' 6-3 loss at Colby on March 29, 2016. (File photo by Josh Kuckens/Bates College) 

WATERVILLE, Maine -- Lydia Venditti and Gabriela Venditti both won in three sets in singles and combined for the first doubles victory, propelling host Colby to a 6-3 NESCAC victory over the Bates women's tennis team Tuesday night. 

Due to highly competitive matches at first, second and third singles, the overall match began at 4:30pm and didn't conclude until about 11pm.

The Mules, who improve to 8-2 overall and 1-1 in league play, had last beaten the Bobcats by a 5-4 score in the 2010-11 season. Bates dropped to 3-8 overall and 0-2 in the league.

Bates sophomore Maisie Silverman (Brunswick, Maine) and junior Kate Rosenthal (Pittsburgh, Pa.) picked up a point at second doubles to start the match, defeating Holly Bogo and Jamie Pine 8-5, but the Mules won at first and third doubles to assume a 2-1 lead.

Lydia Venditti lost the first set 6-1 to Silverman before winning 6-3, 6-4 in the final two sets at first singles. Gabriela Venditti clinched the fifth point of the match with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win at second singles over Bates junior Elizabeth Erbafina (Sudbury, Mass.).

Bates first-year Bella Stone (Concord, Mass.) claimed a hard-fought victory at No. 3 singles over Colby's Maddie Lupone, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4. And at No. 6 singles, Bates junior Olivia Voccola (Falmouth, Maine) won in straight sets over Katie Ryan, 6-3, 6-4.

The Bobcats next play at Tufts in a NESCAC match Saturday at 10:30am.