WENHAM, Mass.—Colby rallied from a one-set deficit to hand Gordon Volleyball its first loss in eight matches, dating back to the first weekend of October. The Mules dropped the first set, but roared back to take the final three in a 3-1 win over the Fighting Scots.
 
The NESCAC foe bumps up to 11-10 on the season, while Gordon falls to 16-9.
 
Gordon looked comfortable in the first set, dropping the first point and never trailing again for the remainder of the game. Backed by a strong performance by Carleigh Petersen (North Hills, Calif.) and a flurry of first-set errors committed by the Mules, Gordon was able to take a 25-19 first set.
 
Serving became the name of the game for the Mules for the rest of the match. After struggling to find any consistency in the service game in the first set, Colby was able to keep Gordon's backline off balance with variety of different looks. Paige Hanssen (Earlysville, Va.) and Emily Moslener (Leonardtown, Md.) combined for 11 service aces over the final three games, while also forcing the Scots into a host of other tough plays.
 
The Scots dropped the second and third set without ever gaining an advantage, as the Mules raced out to big leads in both.  The fourth set looked destined to fall into a similar pattern when Colby put the Fighting Scots in a 10-1 hole.
 
Gordon found some confidence following a timeout, winning six of the next seven points to pull back within four. Eventually, Gordon chipped all the way back to take a 17-15 lead and forcing Colby the recoup on the sideline.
 
The Scots grew their lead to 20-17, when Hanssen registered three consecutive aces as a part of a 5-0 run to retake the advantage for Colby. Gordon won each of the next two points, but the Mules found three timely kills down the stretch to take the fourth set 25-23.
 
Kim Donaldson (Colorado Springs, Colo.) had a stellar game in the middle for the Mules with 14 kills and a .345 hitting percentage. Moslener and Molly Manuel (Andover, Mass.) split time setting up shots and combined for 33 assists. Natalie Roy (Los Altos, Calif.) and Sarah Arvidson (Andover, Mass.) ran the Mules' defense with 16 digs apiece. Donaldson also contributed two solo blocks and a block assist on the evening.
 
Petersen had her best game in a Gordon uniform with 15 kills to only one attack error. Her .467 hitting percentage leads the Scots this season among qualifiers. Renee Cooprider (Hopkinton, Mass.) put up 30 assists, while Maggie Risma (Hudson, Ohio) had another solid game with 21 digs. Petersen and Kristen Cooprider (Hopkinton, Mass.) also had double-digit digs.
 
Both teams will participate in tri-matches on Saturday as Colby heads down the road to Endicott to take on the Gulls and fellow CCC foe Western New England. Gordon hosts both Curry and Worcester State beginning at 11 a.m.