NEW LONDON, N.H. – Castleton came away with a hard-earned split in its first conference action of the year, falling to Maine Maritime 3-0 before coming back with a 3-1 win over Husson on Saturday at Colby-Sawyer College. 

The Mariners received a pair of strong offensive efforts at the net to take down Castleton 25-19, 25-21 and 25-23. Senior Sydney Robertson had 13 kills, while sophomore Gillian O'Neal collected 12. Robertson added four aces and a pair of blocks, while O'Neal had a double-double with 11 digs.  

Brittany Brayman led the Spartan offense with seven kills and added ten digs. Cassidy Tedeschi added four kills while Kristi Lawless had seven digs and two aces. 

Castleton rebounded against the Eagles, winning the first set by a 25-21 margin. The Spartans dropped the second set 25-19 but pulled out 25-22 and 25-17 wins in the final two sets for the victory. 

Junior setter Michaela Babineau turned in a double-double with 17 assists and 16 digs. Tedeschi and senior middle Kaylee Pratt had eight kills apiece to lead the offense. Junior Shelby Smyth added eight assists, eight digs and a match-best three aces. Amanda Chambers chipped in with 14 digs.  

Husson was led by a seven-kill effort from senior middle Alexandra deHertogh. She added three solo blocks and three block assists. Junior Ryan Hood tallied 10 assists and eight digs for the Eagles. 

Castleton moves to 5-10 overall with the split and 1-1 in conference play. The Spartans return to action on Saturday when they travel to face Mass. Maritime and Gordon at Gordon College.