First-year Gabi Eustache finished with a match-high 19 digs on Saturday for Bates. (File photo by Josh Kuckens/Bates College) 

WATERVILLE, Maine -- The Bates volleyball team took the first two sets but the Maine Maritime Academy Mariners rallied to beat the Bobcats 3-2 (25-19, 25-21, 19-25, 20-25, 12-15) Saturday afternoon at Colby College.

Gillian O'Neal led all players with 20 kills and also chipped in 12 digs for the Mariners (8-4). Meanwhile sophomore Claire Naughton (Darien, Conn.) paced the Bobcats (3-7) with 11 kills of her own. Naughton also added three service aces, two digs and four blocks.

Senior captain Chandler McGrath (Seal Beach, Calif.) tallied 10 kills for the Bobcats and junior captain Jacqueline Forney (Bloomington, Ind.) notched a team-high 41 assists while contributing 12 digs. First-year Gabi Eustache (New York, N.Y.) accumulated a match-high 19 digs for Bates. 

Despite the fast start for Bates, the Mariners were able to secure the win thanks in part to match-high 45 assists for Melissa Spaulding and a match-high five service aces for O'Neal. Maria Perez led the Mariners in digs with 13 and Tess Clark added 14 kills and nine digs.

Bates returns home Tuesday to host St. Joseph's at 7:00 p.m.