Castleton, Vt. – The Spartans fell behind early in each set and never were able to get all the way back as Cobleskill earned the 3-0 victory on Tuesday night in Glenbrook Gym. 

Castleton hit just .020 in the match with 25 kills and as the team dropped to 8-11 on the year. The Fighting Tigers recorded 32 kills and hit .194 as they won 25-22, 25-22 and 25-16 to improve to 11-17 overall. 

Freshman Kaylee Pratt led the offensive effort with seven kills while hitting a team-high .353. Sophomores Amanda Chambers and Brittany Brayman each recorded 13 digs, but combined for nine kills and 12 attack errors. Cassidy Tedeschi served up a career-high seven aces while also earning five kills. Setter Michaela Babineau had a strong contest with ten assists and five digs. 

Senior Kady Porterfield killed a game-high 14 attacks and hit .344 to lead the Fighting Tiger offense. Amber Baker added six kills and nine digs while Casey Holbert dished off a team-high 17 assists to go along with three aces. 

The opening set was even through the first 20 points, however, Cobleskill scored 11 of the next 13 to grab a 21-12 advantage. Castleton fought all the way back to get within two, 24-22, before Porterfield's kill ended the set. 

It was the Fighting Tigers who came out strong in the second set, taking a 10-3 lead and pushing it to 15-8. Once again the Spartans rallied, closing with two 17-19 and then going on a 5-0 run to tie it 22 apiece.  Unfortunately, Cobleskill scored the final three points for the win. 

In the final set Castleton dug itself a hole, falling behind 7-1. The lead climbed as high as eight, 16-8, before the teams traded points the rest of the way and the Fighting Tigers took the set 25-16.

The Spartans are on the road this Saturday as they travel to Maine to take on Maine Maritime and Husson, beginning at 12 pm.