FARMINGTON, Maine – Maine Maritime Academy split a pair of pivotal matches against North Atlantic Conference (NAC) opponents Colby-Sawyer and Maine-Farmington. The Mariners fell 3-2 to Colby Sawyer before defeating Farmington 3-1.

Chelsea Ward (Homer, Alaska) posted 26 kills in the 3-2 loss to the Chargers (12-2, 5-0 NAC). It was a crucial NAC matchup that leaves Colby-Sawyer in charge of its own destiny in the race for the right to host the NAC Championship tournament. The Chargers remain the only team unscathed in league play.

Ward also offered 19 digs and four service aces in the defeat. Each of the first four games was decided by two points, but the Chargers pulled away from the Mariners (15-3, 3-1 NAC) in the fifth and final game.

Jennifer Dixon (Ellicott City, Md.) piled up 50 assists and a dozen digs, while Melissa Lail (Elizabeth, Colo.) came up with three blocks to go with her 10 kills. Heather Moore (Macedon, N.Y.) recorded 10 kills and 12 digs. Emilee McBride led the Chargers' charge with 19 kills, while Kristin Sawyer assisted 52 kills.

Maine Maritime rallied in their second match of the day, defeating Farmington in four games. Sydney Robertson (Barnstead, N.H.) led the way with 14 kills, while Lail offered 11 kills, nine aces and a pair of blocks. Dixon posted 35 assist in the victory.

The Mariners return to action on Thursday at St. Joseph's.

Colby-Sawyer def. Maine Maritime 23-25, 25-23, 26-28, 27-25, 15-8

Colby-Sawyer (11-12, 4-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Emilee McBride 19-0-4; Courtney O'Hara 16-2-2; Jackie Keating 7-0-0; Stephanie Vecchio 6-4-0; Ally Le-Bruno 4-3-0; Paige Parker 4-0-1; Kristin Sawyer 3-1-0; Julia Yee 1-2-0; Sarah Hannon 0-3-0; Totals 60-15-5.0. (Assists) – Kristin Sawyer 52. (Dig leaders) - Ally Le-Bruno 34; Sarah Hannon 15; Kristin Sawyer 13; Courtney O'Hara 12; Julia Yee 9

Maine Maritime (14-3, 2-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Chelsea Ward 26-4-0; Heather Moore 10-0-2; Melissa Lail 10-2-4; Sydney Robertson 9-1-2;  Kayley Rodriguez 2-2-1; Chantal Adderley 0-0-1; Jennifer Dixon 0-2-2; Lauren Sakahara 0-2-0; Totals 57-13-7.0. (Assists) - Jennifer Dixon 50. (Dig leaders) - Chelsea Ward 19; Lauren Sakahara 19; Jennifer Dixon 12; Heather Moore 12; Kayley Rodriguez 10

Maine Maritime def. Me.-Farmington 25-18, 26-28, 25-12, 25-20

Maine Maritime (15-3, 3-1) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Sydney Robertson 14-0-1; Melissa Lail 11-9-2; Betsy Trenckmann 9-0-2; Ariel Knights 5-1-0; Chelsea Ward 3-0-1; Lauren Sakahara 3-2-0; Jennifer Dixon 2-3-0; Chantal Adderley 2-0-0; Heather Moore 1-0-0; KC Anderson 1-0-0; Kerri Sullivan 0-2-0; Totals 51-17-3.0. (Assists) - Jennifer Dixon 35.  (Dig leaders) - Lauren Sakahara 14; Jennifer Dixon 6

Me.-Farmington (7-8, 3-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) - Shannon Mitchell 13-1-3; Amanda Mullane 6-1-2; Shannon Brown 6-2-1; Marina Tello 2-0-0; Jen Vadnais 2-0-1; Bridget Flaherty 2-3-0; Jordan Hohman 1-0-0; Jennifer Tupper 1-0-0; Whitney Walls 1-3-0; Emily Bennett 1-0-0; Totals 35-10-3.5. (Assists) - Bridget Flaherty 18; Whitney Walls 12. (Dig leaders) - Bridget Flaherty 14; Marina Tello 12; Shannon Mitchel  12; Whitney Walls 8