Williams Narrowly Falls to Johnson & Wales in Five Sets

Box Score Providence, RI - Williams College (5-3) traveled to Johnson & Wales University (4-5) and lost 3-2 after nearly pulling off the second 2-0 comeback in a row.

After emerging victorious in tight third and fourth sets, the Ephs started out strong in the fifth set, as they maintained a small lead over the Wildcats for nearly the entire set. Four kills from first year Annaliese Fricke kept Williams ahead in the early going as Johnson & Wales called a timeout with the Ephs leading 11-8. Although Williams earned a match point thanks to a strong kill from senior Anna Tosolini, they were unable to capitalize as the Wildcats tied the game with a kill by junior Peyton Oliver. After saving two more match points, Johnson & Wales surged at the end and claimed the fifth set 19-17.

In the first set, Johnson & Wales led wire to wire as they stormed out to an early 12-2 lead that they would never relinquish. The Ephs would briefly threaten towards the end of the set with a three point run capped off by a double block from senior Christina Conforti and junior Marit Hoyem to narrow the deficit to 17-9, but the Wildcats soon pushed the lead back into double digits, and claimed the first set 25-11 with a service ace from junior Sarah Miller.

The second set would be much closer than the first, as Williams went on an early 5 point run to take a 5-3 lead. Although the Wildcats quickly built up a sizable lead courtesy of a 7-0 streak, the Ephs reeled them back in nearly as quickly, and tied the game at 22-22 thanks to a service ace by senior Gracie Guidotti. Williams won the next point to retake the lead, but the Wildcats surged to win the second set 25-23.

The third set was just as close as the second, with Williams building an early 13-8 lead, highlighted by the strong play of Marit Hoyem, who racked up three kills and two service aces in the early going. The lead wouldn't last, however, as Johnson & Wales won five of the next six points to tie the game at 14-14 on a kill from Sarah Miller. The rest of the set went back and forth between the two teams, but the Ephs used a 4-0 run to secure the third set 25-22 off an error by the Wildcats.

The fourth set started out a back-and-forth affair, as neither team was able to separate early on. However, Williams was finally able to get some breathing room thanks to a quality serving run from sophomore Sidra Wohlwend, whose two aces helped the Ephs take a 14-10 lead. Williams would never relinquish the lead for the remainder of the set, as although a late run by the Wildcats threatened to get them back in the set, the Ephs used a timeout to stop their momentum, and claimed the fourth set 25-22 with a powerful kill by first year Annaliese Fricke.

Johnson & Wales leaders were: junior Peyton Oliver with 32 kills, sophomore Kyra Hissner with 55 assists, and senior Emily Corbett with 22 digs. Williams leaders were: Christina Conforti with 13 kills, junior Lauren Kauppila with 35 assists, and Christina Conforti with 21 digs.

After the close loss, Eph head coach Christi Kelsey reflected, "Today was another tough battle for us. I'm certainly proud of how we fought back and put ourselves in a position to win. We had a lot of different parts of the match to help lift our team when we needed a boost. The team is focused on how we can be better at the start. We are aware there is a big growth opportunity for us in establishing our pace of play and style right out of the gates rather than have to work our way into the match. This crew is looking forward to getting back in the gym this week and preparing for two tough NESCAC opponents coming up!"

Williams will take on Connecticut College at home in Chandler Gymnasium on Friday, September 30th, at 7:00 PM EST.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#17 Christina Conforti: OH/OPP; 6' 1"; Senior

#6 Gracie Guidotti: S; 5' 8"; Senior

#14 Marit Hoyem: MH/OPP; 6' 2"; Junior

#7 Lauren Kauppila: S; 5' 9"; Junior

#9 Anna Tosolini: MH/OPP; 5' 10"; Senior

#20 Sidra Wohlwend: L/DS; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#12 Annaliese Fricke: OH/OPP; 6' 1"; First Year

Players Mentioned

#17 Christina Conforti
: 6' 1"; Senior
: OH/OPP

#6 Gracie Guidotti
: 5' 8"; Senior
: S

#14 Marit Hoyem
: 6' 2"; Junior
: MH/OPP

#7 Lauren Kauppila
: 5' 9"; Junior
: S

#9 Anna Tosolini
: 5' 10"; Senior
: MH/OPP

#20 Sidra Wohlwend
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: L/DS

#12 Annaliese Fricke
: 6' 1"; First Year
: OH/OPP