MIDDLEBURY, Vt. -- The Bates volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-12, 25-13, 25-19) on the road to an undefeated Middlebury squad Saturday afternoon.
With the first set tied at 7-7, Middlebury (8-0, 2-0 NESCAC) rattled off seven-straight points to take a 14-7 advantage behind a pair of kills from Lucy Ambach. The hosts extended the lead and emerged with a 25-12 set-one victory.
The Panthers jumped out to a 6-1 advantage in set two behind a pair of service aces and a kill from Katie Kraczkowsky. Bates got no closer than three for the remainder of the frame, as Middlebury went up 2-0 with the 25-13 win.
The Bobcats led 10-8 in the third and final set, before a 4-0 spurt put the home team up 12-10. The Panthers slowly increased their advantage, closing out the match with a 25-19 set-three victory.
Bates was paced by first-year
Katie Kortekaas (Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and junior
Emma Eide (Ramsey, N.J.) who had four kills apiece, while senior
Megan Seabury (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
 added nine digs. Seabury dished out a team-high seven assists and Eide finished with six assists.
Maggie Wise led Middlebury with a dozen kills, while hitting .435, while Corley Doyle earned eight kills and hit an impressive .615. Kraczkowsky picked up six kills in the match, Kelly Ferrero added 14 digs, while Gabbie O'Toole earned 26 assists.
The Bobcats return to action on Wednesday for their home opener when they entertain Maine Maritime at 7pm.
