MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Playing its second of back-to-back NESCAC matches in less than 24 hours, Bates College gave it its all in Saturday's contest at #14 Wesleyan University. The Bobcats and Cardinals split the first two sets before the home team pushed ahead in the third and fourth frames to remain undefeated on the year.
Wesleyan (11-0, 4-0 NESCAC) grabbed the opener by a score of 25-17. The garnet and white responded in a huge way with an impressive 27-25 victory in the subsequent set to even the match at 1-1.
Trailing 16-7 after a stretch of seven unanswered points by the Bobcats, the Cardinals rallied for a 13-4 run of its own to knot the second set at 20-all. Trinity proceeded to push Bates to the brink with a 5-4 spurt to make it 25-24, but the Bobcats clawed out of its deficit as a kill by
Ellie Asada, and two more from
Emma Patard, sealed an impressive showing for the road team.
Bates, unfortunately, could not duplicate the energy of that showcase set as Wesleyan pocketed wins of 25-8 and 25-12 in the third and fourth stanzas, respectively, to close out the match.
Sophia Lindus (So.-Los Angeles, Calif.) carried the Cardinals with 13 kills in the win. Ali Landa (So.-La Crescenta, Calif.) and Maya Lopansri (Jr.-Park City, Utah) shared the setting duties with 24 and 14 assists apiece. Bianca Ortiz (Sr.-Bayamon, P.R.) patrolled the Wesleyan back line to the tune of 14 digs. Middle-blocker, Bianca Gonya, soared to six blocking assists on the afternoon.
For the Bobcats,
Sofia Castiglioni and
Ami Evans paced the garnet and white with nine kills each. Castiglioni, the reigning Female Bobcat of the Week, proved errorless on her attempts, resulting in a splendid .600 hitting percentage.
Logan Yogi and
Chrissy Chu dished 14 and 13 helpers, respectively, for Bobcats.
Asada pocketed 11 digs in the effort.
Bates (3-9, 1-4 NESCAC) returns to Alumni Gym this Friday night for its next outing, a 6:00 p.m. non-conference home tilt vs. Smith College.
