MIDDLEBURY, Vt. -- Bates College, seeing its first NESCAC action away from Alumni Gym this fall, journeyed to Middlebury College Friday evening where the Bobcats dropped a 3-0 decision (19-25, 17-25, 16-25) to the host-Panthers.

The garnet and white, experiencing back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, slides to 7-5 (2-2 NESCAC). Middlebury, winners of nine-straight, remains perfect in conference play at 4-0 (10-4 overall).

A pair of Panthers provided double-double performances in the win, including Molly Harrison with 14 kills and 10 digs and Gabbie O'Toole 33 assists and 11 digs. O'Toole also landed a trio of service aces for the home team. Annabella Rando topped all players with 15 digs.

Bates floored 32 kills as a team in the effort with Ami Evans accounting for seven on the night. The high-flying junior also settled a team-best 10 digs. Skye Higashihara shared 22 assists to go along with nine digs. Ellie Asada and Sami Kim also gathered nine digs apiece.

The Bobcats look to rebound Saturday at 2:00 p.m. with a visit to Williams College.