AMHERST, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to Bates College in the opening match of the 2019 Hall of Fame Invitational hosted by Amherst College.

The Bobcats, who won by set scores of 25-17, 25-19 and 25-12, improve to 13-6 on the season, while the Bears fall to 7-11.

Junior middle hitter Angel Echipue (Munich, Germany) tallied eight kills and two assisted blocks to lead the way for Bates. Senior outside hitter Taylor Stafford-Smith (Calabasa, Calif.) added seven kills, eight digs and a pair of aces, while senior setter Julia Panepinto (Buffalo, N.Y.) and freshman setter Emma Eide (Ramsey, N.J.) combined for 38 assists.

Junior setter Casey Holmes (Norton, Mass.) paced the Bears with 16 assists, two kills, seven digs and two assisted blocks. Junior outside hitter Abigail Gardner (Hudson, Mass.) checked in with five kills and seven digs, while classmate Gabryella Serrano (Bridgewater, Mass.) added three kills and ten digs. Senior middle blocker Shannon Grindle (Halifax, Mass.) notched a match-best four blocks (two solo).

Bates notched 45 kills in the match and posted a .276 hitting percentage. The Bobcats' defense also limited the Bears to just 19 kills and a .011 hitting percentage. Bates recorded seven aces in the match and did not commit a receiving error.

On Saturday, the Bears will take on Bard College (11:00 AM) and Dean College (1:00 PM) at the Hall of Fame Invitational. Smith College will be hosting the two matches.