CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans fell behind early and their comeback attempt in the final set came up just short as they dropped a 3-2 decision to visiting Cobleskill on Tuesday evening in Glenbrook Gym.

Castleton used some strong hitting to take the first set 25-22, but dropped the second 25-15 and the third by a 25-16 margin. The fourth set was back and forth before the Spartans used a 6-2 run to earn the 25-21 victory.

Neither team was able to get a lead larger than two through the first 20 points of the fifth set. Tied 10-10, the teams traded points and were even again at 12 apiece before three straight by the Fighting Tigers gave them the 15-12 win.

Freshman Amanda Chambers (Lake George, N.Y.) was all over the court, hitting a team-high .440 with 12 kills, 15 digs and two service aces in the loss. Junior Grace Schreiber (Cheshire, Conn.) also reached double figures in kills with 10. 

Defensively, Castleton totaled 86 digs, with 21 coming from senior Nicole Valastro (So. Glens Falls, N.Y.). Junior Ruth Tomlinson (Huntington, Vt.) contributed 20 digs while freshman Shelby Smyth (Chelmsford, Mass.) chipped in with 10 and 21 assists. 

The duo of Amber Baker (Caroga Lake, N.Y.) and Kady Porterfield (Macdoel, Calif.) led the Fighting Tiger offense. Baker finished with a match-high 15 kills and also added 13 digs and six service aces. Porterfield recorded 14 kills to go with two aces and two solo blocks. Libero Kim Cordova (Oneonta, N.Y.) led the defense with 20 digs. 

Cobleskill serving was the key to the match, with the Fighting Tigers recording 27 services aces. Molly Hull (Binghamton, N.Y.) finished with seven while Mary Gallagher (Troy, N.Y.) chipped in with six aces, seven digs and 15 assists.

The Spartans drop to 7-9 with the loss while the Fighting Tigers improve to 12-14 on the season.

Castleton returns to action on Saturday when the team travels to Colby-Sawyer for matches against the host Chargers, as well as Maine Farmington.