LEWISTON, Maine -- Katie Kortekaas landed a match-best 14 kills, and the duo of Chrissy Chu and Ami Evans authored double-doubles for the second time in less than 24 hours, as Bates College outlasted visiting Connecticut College, 3-2, Saturday in Alumni Gym to secure the program's first NESCAC triumph of the season.

The Bobcats, with their first conference winner since a 3-2 victory at Trinity College back on 10/16/21, improve to 2-4 (1-1 NESCAC). The Camels slip to 3-4 (0-2 NESCAC). Bates has now defeated Connecticut College in five of the last six meetings between the two squads.

With the score knotted at 9-9 in the initial set, Bates scurried on a 10-5 run to go ahead by a score of 19-14. The Bobcats went on to collect six of the frame's last seven points (sealed by an Emma Patard kill) to secure the stanza, 25-17. A pair of six-point stretches put the Camels in fine shape in the second as the visitors evened the match at 1-all with a 25-13 win.

Bates closed the third set with a 6-0 spurt to lock in a 25-23 win and put Connecticut College on the ropes with a 2-1 lead. The Bobcats appeared determined to close out the contest in four periods, jumping out to commanding 12-4 lead in the seemingly-decisive frame. The Camels had other ideas as the road team kicked up some dust with a 21-9 surge to swipe the set and tie up the overall score at 2-2.

With Connecticut College owning a slim 7-5 advantage in the fifth-and-final session, the Bobcats scratched out six-straight points, and seven of the next eight, to put the home team on the cusp of clinching the match at 14-6.

The Camels, not willing to concede defeat, battled to make the score 14-9, but Kortekaas's fifth kill of the decisive set secured the signature win for the garnet and white.

One night after establishing personal high-water marks with 33 assists and 12 digs Friday evening vs. Bowdoin, Chu edited her personal ledger with new career-bests of 34 helpers and 14 digs in Saturday's five-setter. Evans clubbed 11 kills and settled 15 digs in the win.

Ellie Asada with her match-best 28 digs, also eclipsed her previous high of 26, established last season at Bowdoin (9/16/22). Kate Hansen made her mark with 12 digs and four service aces while Julia Newman patrolled the net with four blocking assists.

Bates will now take to the road this Wednesday evening with a 7:00 p.m. visit to Colby College on the slate.