NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Mules were back on the court Saturday for back-to-back games. Colby first took on Bard College before playing the host school, Smith.

The opposing Raptors came into the game having just beaten Bridgewater State 3-0, but their momentum could not keep the Mules at bay. Colby jumped to an early lead and then finished off the first game with several services aces from Blair Sullivan and Nicole Petherbridge and a kill by Samantha Schultz for a 25-14 win.

Colby's balanced attack continued throughout the match. Elizabeth Middlebrook, Nicole Petherbridge, Natalie Bumpus, and Samantha Schultz (pictured) all totaled over five kills and positive kill percentages. Petherbridge led the four players with a .333 kill percentage, while Middlebrook led the team with 11 kills. Credit setter Morgan Selby for the teams overall success as well. Selby spread her 24 assists to seven different players over the match. 

With their efficient play on offense, Colby overcame an early Bard lead in the second game. Samantha Schultz and Elizabeth Middlebrook were especially potent late, earning five kills to secure the set, 25-17. Though Colby saw a slight increase in their offensive errors and lost the third game 25-21, the team bounced back quickly, charging to a 5-1 lead in the fourth. Bard came back to take a 7-6 lead, but the Mules were able to take back the momentum and did not trail again after tying the game at seven points apiece. Several kills late in the game by Natalie Bumpus and Nicole Petherbridge iced the set for the Mules and with a 25-22 win, Colby took home the 3-1 match victory.

The team was well rounded on defense as well, with six players totaling more than five digs. Libero Delaney Wood led the team with nine.

Colby followed up their win over Bard with a match against the host school, Smith College. The two teams were evenly matched, playing to five sets, but the Mules ultimately lost 3-2. 

Several players still had big games despite the loss. Samantha Schultz generated five kills without making an attack error at net, while Nicole Petherbridge and Elizabeth Middlebrook both totaled double-digit kills with 13 and 14, respectively. Morgan Selby also increased her aggressiveness, adding six kills on 12 attempts to her 33 assists. Delaney Wood and Julia Hutchings were defensive staples, each totaling 11 digs to help the Mules stay in points.

The Mules did have several opportunities to steal the win against the Pioneers. In both full-length games the team dropped, the Mules rallied to tie the score at 20-20. However, attack errors and Smith aces helped the Pioneers inch ahead late in the critical games. In the fifth, Smith jumped to an early lead and never looked back, eventually taking the game 15-5 to seal the match.

Colby next takes the court at home against Trinity on Friday, October 25^th at 8:00 PM (EST). The game is the team's senior night, so wear your blue and come support the Mules!

Photo courtesy of Ashley Conti