LEWISTON, Conn. -- The heat was on (literally) Friday night as Clark University, Maine Maritime Academy, and Western Connecticut State University joined the Bobcats in a sweltering Alumni Gym for day one of the inaugural Bates College "First Serve" Classic.
In the event's opening contest, it would be Clark that would walk away with a 3-0 victory over Maine Maritime Academy (25-23, 25-15, 25-22). WestConn upended the host Bobcats by an identical 3-0 final (25-16, 25-22, 25-12) in the nightcap.
After falling behind by an initial 1-0 score in the first set, the Wolves rattled off seven unanswered points to take a 7-1 surplus. WestConn would then close the frame with a second seven-point spurt to clinch the 25-16 win.
Escaping the second set with a 25-22 triumph to take a healthy 2-0 lead, the Wolves found themselves ahead 9-6 score early in the third. WestConn proceeded to author a 14-2 run that put the match out of reach at 23-8. The Bobcats gallantly scratched out the next four points, but the match was well in hand for the eventual victors.
Helen Megson (Jr. Lebanon, Conn.) paced the Wolves with seven kills (2 errors) on 14 attacks for a .357 hitting percentage. The junior also floored a trio of service aces in the win. Julia Stoliker (Fy.-Red Hook, N.Y.) matched her teammate's average with a .357 mark of her own, landing six kills (1 error) on 14 attempts.
Taylor Rohan (Gr.-Yonkers, N.Y.) added six kills and a match-best three solo blocks. Olivia Monteleone (Sr.-Cold Spring, N.Y.) dished 22 assists for the Wolves while Sydney Slupatchuk (So.-New Milford, Conn.) controlled 11 digs in the win.
Katie Kortekaas (So.-Manhattan Beach, Calif.) highlighted the Bates offense with her eight kills on the evening.
Ellie Asada (So.-Honolulu, Hawaii) contributed nine digs and seven assists.
Chrissy Chu (Jr.-Old Tappan, N.J.) added six helpers and five digs while
Logan Yogi (Fy.-Kaneohe, Hawaii) distributed five assists.
The Bates "First Serve" Classic concludes Saturday with a slate of four contests:
Western Connecticut State (2-1) vs. Maine Maritime Academy (3-1): 10:00 a.m.
Maine Maritime Academy vs.
Bates College (1-1): 12:00 p.m.
Western Connecticut State vs. Clark University (4-1): 2:00 p.m.
Clark University vs.
Bates College: 4:00 p.m.
