Williamstown, Mass. – October 20, 2023 – The nationally-ranked Springfield College women's volleyball team had its 16-match winning streak snapped by Middlebury in the opening match of the New England Challenge on Friday evening at Williams College.  The Panthers won by the scores of 25-18, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22. 

After earning a spot in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/TARAFLEX Division III national poll for the first time since 2011 earlier in the week at the No. 25 spot, the Pride fell to 20-2 on the season as the nation's fifth-longest winning streak came to an end.

 Natalie Billet (Commack, N.Y.) had a team-best 13 kills and Riley Donahue (South Windsor, Conn.) contributed 11 digs and 12 kills.   Ally Townsend (Hummelstown, Pa.) recorded 11 digs and three aces, while Maeve Voltz (Bay Shore, N.Y.) racked up four blocks.  Despite pumping 15 aces on the night, Springfield committed a season-high 18 service errors. 

Middlebury jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the opening set as the Pride called a timeout, only to have an Townsend ace pull the Pride within 14-11.  However, Middlebury would respond to push its lead back to 18-12 as it powered its way to a 25-18 first-set win as it accounted for 14 kills at a .407 clip. 

In a set that featured six ties, Middlebury held a 20-18 advantage late in the frame, but Springfield put together a 4-0 surge thanks to a kill and two blocks by Voltz. After Springfield earned set point at 24-22 on a kill by Donahue, the Panthers responded with back-to-back kills to tie the set for the final time.  Donahue then came up with two huge kills down the stretch, sealing the 26-24 victory pounding a kill off the block in transition to make it 1-1. 

Middlebury raced out to a 7-0 lead in the third and maintained a 14-7 cushion midway through the stanza.  A 5-1 burst by Springfield made it a three-point set at 15-12, only to have two miscues allow Middlebury to regain a five-point lead as it coasted to a 25-19 win. Neither team hit above .100 in the set, but the Pride accounted for five of 12 errors in the set. 

It was similar start to the fourth for Middlebury, taking a 7-2 lead and 14-6 edge. The Pride made a huge push, as Olivia Gentry (Cincinnati, Ohio) stepped back and ripped an ace to force Middlebury into a timeout as their lead was trimmed to 20-18. Springfield would get no closer than two points as the Panthers hung on for the 25-22 victory. 

Springfield continues with the New England Challenge on Saturday versus Tufts and Williams. 

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