Waterville, MAINE - The Colby College Volleyball team defended their perfect record at home Friday night, earning their first NESCAC win of the season over the visiting Bobcats of Bates College 3-1.  Colby improved to 5-2 on the season while the Bobcats fell to 2-6.  

The heat was on in the Margaret M. Crook Center as the Mules were looking to keep their home winning streak (now five games) intact.  The hosts took the first set 25-19 before Bates evened the tally at set apiece with a strong effort in the second frame.  After Bates jumped out to a commanding lead in the second set, onlookers could tell the momentum was starting to turn back to the Mules as they pushed the frame down to the wire, but unfortunately running out of time, falling 26-24.  

Colby picked up the third set with an aggressive attack, this time battling with the lead for most of the set, winning 25-23.  The fourth and final set was a decisive victory for the Mules, 25-16. 

Hannah Wyllie led the Mules for the sixth time this year in kills, with 16 over the four sets.  Senior Natalie Simonton added nine of her own, good for a .350 hit percentage.  Julia Hutchings continued to be reliable for Colby at the service line, scoring seven aces in the contest.  

Colby is back in action Saturday at the USM invitational, taking on the University of Southern Maine at 2:00pm, followed by Eastern Connecticut State at 4:00pm.