Middletown, CT - Williams College (14-8, 7-3 NESCAC) faced Tufts University (20-5, 9-1 NESCAC) in the semifinals of the NESCAC tournament. Despite a valiant effort, Williams fell in three sets to possibly end the season for the 2022 Ephs, depending on whether or not they are able to earn an at-large spot to the NCAA tournament.
Facing elimination, the Ephs started out the third set strong, and a double block from senior Morgan Persky and junior Marit Hoyem gave Williams a 12-8 advantage, forcing a timeout from the Tufts bench. However, the Jumbos came out of the timeout firing on all cylinders, and tied the set at 13-13 after a Williams error. Although the Ephs quickly rebuilt a 17-14 advantage after back to back kills from junior Celia Adams, Tufts was able to tie the set once again at 19-19, where the Ephs took a timeout. After Williams won two of three points to take a 21-20 lead, the Jumbos won five of the next six points to clinch the fifth set 25-22. Celia Adams led the way for the Ephs on the attacking front with five kills in the set.
In the first set Williams led early on, as back to back service aces from Marit Hoyem slipped over the net to give the Ephs a 4-3 advantage. Although Tufts quickly retook the lead, Williams was able to keep it close for a while, with a kill from senior Anna Tosolini narrowing the deficit to 9-7. However, the Jumbos quickly seized the momentum with a 6-1 run and never looked back from there, taking the first set with a score of 25-13 after a Williams error on set point.
The second set was back and forth in the early going, with the Ephs building an early 8-5 lead after a double block from senior Morgan Persky and first year Helen Qian. That advantage was later maintained at 11-9; however, the Jumbos proceeded to win the next seven points in a row, opening up a 16-11 lead and forcing a Williams timeout. The Jumbos continued to hold a healthy advantage, with three consecutive service aces from senior Jenelle Yarwood setting up a 23-15 Tufts lead. The Ephs won the next three points to pressure the Jumbos into calling a timeout, but Tufts was able to close out the set 25-19.
Tufts leaders were: junior Christine Audette with 10 kills, senior Stephanie Lee with 15 assists, and Stephanie Lee with 10 digs. Williams leaders were: Celia Adams with 11 kills, senior Gracie Guidotti with 12 assists, and senior Christina Conforti with 10 digs.
Reflecting on the tough loss, Eph head coach Christi Kelsey remarked, "Today was a tough one as I don't think that we necessarily turned in our overall best performance. We had times played and executed well but we're a little inconsistent at others. To Tufts credit, they did a great job and stayed really steady from start to finish. I don't know what will happen next for us, but I do want to say that I am so incredibly proud of this team for everything that they have given to our volleyball family this year! Especially our group of six seniors, Anna, Christina, Gracie, Kiley, Morgan, and Renee, who have really built a great foundation for the future of our program in years to come!"
