CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy volleyball fell to non-conference opponent Bates College on Wednesday night 3-0 (25-18, 25-12, 25-17), inside of Smith Gymnasium.
The first set was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, but the Bobcats claimed the victory with three-straight points to take the 25-18 victory. In the second set the Bobcats put together three-multi point runs to take a 25-12 win and a 2-0 lead. The Bobcats outstretched a 11-5 lead in the third set and despite a strong effort from the Mariners, Bates came away with the victory.
Maine Maritime was led by a double-double from reigning NAC Rookie of the Week and ECAC Rookie of the WeekTess Clark (Spring, Texas). Clark recorded 11 kills, 12 digs, one ace and one block. Gillian O'Neal (Burbank, Calif.) recorded a team-best 13 digs, while adding a block, and Melissa Spaulding (Fairbanks, Alaska) grabbed a game-high 17 assists and 8 digs.
Laryssa Schepel led all players with 22 digs, while Hannah Tardie added 15 assists and Chandler McGrath added a game-high 12 kills for Bates (4-4).
The Mariners (8-5) return to action this weekend when they travel to Keene State to take on the Owls and St. Michael's on Saturday, September 26.
Tonight's game was played to promote the Girls on the Run program. The Mariners recognized Lura Wade, the Northern Maine Regional Coordinator for Girls on the Run prior to the game.
Girls On The Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. The program teaches life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness.
The program's purpose is to provide girls with the tools they need to meet and navigate the challenges of adolescences, to inspire them to set and accomplish goals, and to encourage them to incorporate a physical activity into their daily lives.