Amherst, Mass.-- Despite having their lowest seed in over ten years in the NESCAC tournament, the Ephs did what they do best, winning, in knocking off number three ranked Bowdoin College in the first round of this year's championship. While technically an upset, it is hard to refer to it as such since the Ephs had previously beat the Polar Bears in regular season play on October 26th. Whereas that match was a tight, down to the wire affair that the Ephs won in 5 sets, 3-2, this most recent victory was a whole different story, as the Ephs rolled over their opponent in straight sets 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-20). In set number one the Polar Bears pulled out to a quick early lead, showing why they received such a high initial seed. The Ephs would battle, however, never letting their opponents take a truly commanding lead, until finally being able to take their first lead of the match 20-19 after two emphatic kills by senior co-captain Nicole Ballon-Landa. Whereas Williams had up until that point struggled offensively against Bowdoin's big block and scrappy defense, Ballon-Landa's poise and leadership allowed her to put the team on her back and help carry them forward, having 6 of her 10 total kills in the first set alone. Sophomore Haley Eagon added in an additional 4 kills in the set. Senior co-captain Eleanor Levine also helped spark the comeback with tough defense and serving. Although not normally called on to help the Ephs' backline of defense, Levine had multiple key digs in allowing the Ephs to seize momentum in the match, and it would be her serving run that closed out the set 25-21. After Bowdoin took a 4-1 lead to open set number two the Ephs clawed their way back to take the lead, 6-4. Williams then punched it into overdrive, ripping off an impressive run behind the tough serving of senior co-captain Emily Avis. By the time Avis rotated out of serve the Ephs had taken a 16-5 lead. The Bears would close the gap to within 5 points while down 19-14, but it was all Williams from there as the team rolled to a 25-14 victory. Avis would also shine in her primary role of facilitating Williams' attack, dishing out a team leading 31 assists in the match. Classmate and co-captain Kate Anderson would come alive in the set also, slamming home 5 of her team leading 12 kills to help show the team to victory. Set number three looked like it was going to be more of the same, as Williams sprinted out to a quick 5-0 lead, which they later stretched out to seven points at 11-4. Just when it looked like Bowdoin might crumble, however, the Bears dug deep and began to try and find a way back into the match, closing the gap back down to four points at 11-7. The Ephs then kicked up into a higher gear once again, cruising the lead out to 20-10. The Williams defense, shaking off some earlier difficulties, helped the team prolong some tough rallies, exhausting their opponents both physically and mentally. The Ephs were lead by Junior libero Aly McKinnon and her 16 digs, ably backed up by Anderson's 12. The Bears, though, still had some fight left in them, and, despite having a roster loaded with underclassmen, played like true veterans in refusing to give up and rallying to cut the deficit to 5 at 16-21, and come within two points down 22-20. The brave comeback, though, would fall just short, as the Ephs were able to regain the momentum and take the hard fought match 25-22. The victory marks the tenth straight time the Ephs have made it to the semifinals of the NESCAC tournament. The grit and determination that the team showed in closing out the win will certainly help them as they try and prolong this year's tournament run even farther in search of their fourth consecutive championship. Credit must be given to Bowdoin for the gutsy way in which they played against the Ephs. For some of their players the loss represented their first taste of NESCAC tournament action, and they are certainly a team to watch in the years ahead. Williams next faces second seeded Middlebury tomorrow at 3:30 at Amherst College. The Ephs previously lost to the Panthers on October 30th, and will be looking to decisively even the score and make their way into the final.
