Bates Women’s Volleyball won (3-0) against the Amherst Mammoths with a convincing NESCAC opener on Friday, Sept. 20. Amherst entered the evening with a so-far undefeated season. This historic win marked only the 4th victory in Bates’ recorded history against Amherst, the last win being in 2003.
All of the sets were brimmed with high spirits and loud cheers. The bleachers vibrated with resounding excitement from the crowd full of students, faculty and surrounding community members. Many times, the nervous silence was more deafening than their cheers, the audience held their breath with anticipation as the ball soared into the rafters, hitting the ceiling and ricocheting uncontrollably back down to the court.
The first set (25-22) was chalked full of skillful, diving saves by both teams and coordinated attacks of spikes and blocks. The match opened with the first point scored by Bates in the first couple of seconds. One highlight of the game was that the points were scored off of the calculated and well-aimed taps by members of both teams, not the powerful spikes.
Tension rose when the teams were tied 22-22. But Bates pulled out three more points taking the first set over Amherst.
In the second set (25-23), Bates scored the opening point again. Not stopping there, the Bobcats lined up two more points before Amherst caught up. Both teams in this set were neck and neck, all the way to 24-23 with Bates up one point and the pressure on. Each fan twisted in their seats unsure of the result as Bates number three, Kate Hansen ‘25 served. The rally lasted only a few seconds before number 13 Katie Kortekaas ‘25 spiked into the wall made by the outstretched arms of the Amherst defense. The ball teetered, unpredictably, before falling out of bounds on the Bates side, earning Bates their second set of the night.
A highlight play came from Kortekaas, running into the crowd to reroute a ball, heading out of bounds and saving the ball for number eight Ami Evans ‘26 to score the point.
Throughout the game and the time-outs taken by both teams, the music kept the spirits high with several members of both teams joining audience members in singing and dancing to hits including “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga, “Uproar” by Lil Wayne and “The Great Escape” by Gwen Stefani.
The third set (25-22) was the final moment of triumph for Bates in their NESCAC opener. Almost off bat, number nine Skye Higashihara ‘28, slid seemingly across the court to save the ball from hitting the ground.
As the scores built up, Bates reached 20 points and plateaued. Amherst, seeing this opportunity, celebrated as they made up the 5-point deficit almost in a row until it was 22-20, Bates. With two more Bates points, the crowd was on their feet for the last point, screaming in the 3-0 historic win.
The strong opening game of Bates’ NESCAC volleyball conference play certainly sets the tone for their coming season.
