Williamstown, Mass. - October 22, 2021 - The Springfield College women's volleyball team was upended by Middlebury in straight sets on Friday evening in the opener of the New England Challenge in Chandler Gymnasium on the campus of Williams College.  The Panthers prevailed by the scores of 25-22, 25-5, 25-20. 

Springfield had its seven-match winning streak snapped as it dipped to 18-5 on the season, while the Panthers, who were receiving votes in this week's AVCA Division III National Coaches Poll, improved to 17-3.

Natalie Billet (Commack, N.Y.) had a team-best nine kills in the setback, while Camryn Bancroft (Eastport, N.Y.) totaled eight kills at a .500 clip in the middle.  Sara Labadorf (Huntersville, N.C.) had 22 helpers and 14 digs and Briana Tovar (Tucson, Ariz.) delivered three aces.  Springfield was held to a .126 hitting percentage on the night, while the Panthers offense hit at a .311 team hitting percentage. 

In the opening set, Billet put away seven kills to pace the Pride attack, but Springfield faced a 19-12 deficit late in the frame.  However, Billet tallied back-to-back kills as the Pride stormed back to even things at 22-all following another kill from the first-year standout.  Middlebury sidedout with a kill and scored the final three points of the set to take the 25-22 win.

Middlebury jumped out to a 10-2 advantage in the second set and coasted to a 25-5 victory as the Panthers totaled 15 kills at a .448 hitting percentage while the Pride was held to just three kills while hitting -.125.

A kill from Ashley Tanner (Manorville, N.Y.) allowed the Pride to earn a 11-7 cushion in the third, only to have Middlebury answer with a 4-0 surge to knot things up at 11. The Pride would maintain a 16-14 edge following a kill from Billet, but another four-point run by Middlebury put them up for good as they pulled away with a 25-20 triumph. 

On Saturday, Springfield will wrap up play against Williams at 11 am.

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