Lewiston, ME - The Husson University volleyball team faced another tough road test on Tuesday night as they headed south to take on the Bates College Bobcats.

The Eagles (5-15) played progressively better as the night went along and gave Bates all they could handle, but the Bobcats (8-6) would prevail in the end with a hard-fought sweep (25-11, 25-19, 25-23). 

Bates' offense was the difference in the match, as the hosts put away at least 13 kills in each set and combined for a .264 hitting average over the three games.  The teams were each effective at the service line (eight aces apiece), while the Bobcats owned the advantage in digs (35-26) and Husson put together more totals blocks (6-1).

Chandler McGrath led the Bates attack with 13 kills on 20 attacks, while Nicole Peraica (7), Mary Deneen (6) and Gabby O'Leary (5) all contributed heavily in the kills department.  Miranda Shapiro and Jacqueline Forney each passed out 10 assists for the Bobcats, while O'Leary paced the defense with seven digs.  

Husson's leading hitter was Caela Fenderson (Charlotte, ME) who put away four kills on eight attacks on the night.  Kristen Atwood (Cumberland, ME) tallied three kills, while Alexandra deHertogh (Cumberland, RI) and Bailey Cote (Biddeford, ME) each added two.  

Due to injuries, Nia Arranaga (San Jose, CA) and Marissa Johnson (Russell, NY) had to step in to split the setting duties for the Eagles, and Arranaga handed out seven assists while Johnson notched a pair. 

"I thought Nia and Marissa both did well considering they werekind of thrown in to set," Husson coach Jodie Fairbank said after the match.

Arranaga also served up a team-high three aces, adding to her conference-high total of 58 in 61 sets this season.  

Sarah Wilson (Dover, NH) picked up a match-high nine digs for Husson, and deHertogh was a force at the net on defense with three solo blocks and two block assists.  

"Our middles (deHertogh and Cote) had solid performances, and the whole team worked hard and never gave up which sets the stage for a strong showing against conference opponents," Fairbank added.  

Husson has a quick turnaround for one more non-conference match tomorrow night when they host the Colby College Mules at the Newman Gymnasium at 7 p.m.  

The Eagles will then begin play in the North Atlantic Conference with two matches this weekend, facing Colby-Sawyer College and Castleton State College on Saturday in New Hampshire.