LEWISTON, Maine – Bates volleyball posted a strong showing Saturday, sweeping Keene State 3-0 before falling just short in a five-set thriller against the University of New England.
In the opener, the Bobcats (2-1) controlled play from start to finish against the Owls, taking the match by scores of 25-17, 25-15, and 25-14. Bates hit .341 as a team, with senior Ami Evans leading the way with eight kills on a .583 clip. Sophomore Anaïs Reneaum floored six kills with a lofty .556 hitting percentage. Setters Lauren Croom and Nora Gilmer directed the offense with 17 ad 16 assists, respectively.
The nightcap was a battle from the first serve, as Bates and UNE traded momentum all afternoon. The Bobcats struck first with a 25-19 win in set one before the Nor'easters answered by taking the next two frames, 25-17 and 26-24. Bates forced a decisive fifth set with a gritty 25-20 victory in the fourth, but UNE closed it out 15-13 in the fifth to edge the Bobcats.
Reneaum paced the attack with 17 kills, and junior Sofia Castiglioni added 10 kills on .348 hitting to go along with three blocks. Croom dished out 32 assists, and Asada tallied a career-high 35 digs in the setback.
UNE defeated Keene State, 3-0, in the middle contest of the day's tri-match to improve to 3-3 on the year.
The Bobcats (2-1) will return to their home floor on Tuesday evening for a 6:00 p.m. showdown vs. Maine Maritime.
