Ephs Defeat Bates in 1st Round of NESCACs

Williamstown, MA - Williams College (14-8, 4-5 NESCAC) hosted Bates College (7-15, 1-7 NESCAC) in the first round of the NESCAC tournament and came away with a 3-0 win.

The Ephs dominated the third set from start to finish, jumping out to an early 7-1 lead. Back to back aces from first year Morgan Daetz only pushed the Williams lead out even further, and the third set was finished off with another ace from Morgan Daetz, 25-11. It was an all-around team effort for the Ephs in the third set, with several players recording multiple kills.

The Ephs got off to a fast start in the first set, winning six of the first seven points to set the tone for the rest of the set. First year Tatum Baker made it 18-6 with a powerful kill and Bates called their second timeout of the set to little avail, as Williams steamrolled their way to a 25-9 first set victory. Five different Ephs recorded at least two kills each in the set, with Tatum Baker leading the way with four kills. 

The Ephs continued their momentum in the second set, jumping out to an early 8-4 lead after a kill and ace in quick succession from senior Celia Adams. The Bobcats just could not get on track, and junior Sabina Lum set up an 18-9 advantage with a hard-hit kill, and Bates was pressured into calling another timeout. Williams did not let up the pressure, however, and first year Keely Campuzano closed out the second set 25-11 with her third kill of the set. The Ephs put on a hitting clinic in the second set, recording 18 kills to only 1 error for a .630 hitting percentage.

Bates leaders were: Ami Evans with 5 kills, Chrissy Chu with 9 assists, and Ellie Asada with 11 digs. Williams leaders were: senior Marit Hoyem with 10 kills, senior Lauren Kauppila with 18 assists, and junior Sidra Wohlwend with 12 digs. 

Reflecting on the key win, Eph head coach Christi Kelsey stated "It was great for Bates tohave the opportunity to play again, I thought they did a fantastic job. The consistency was really key to our victory today. For us to put the pieces together, and continue what we want to do this postseason, and all the support we had tonight from friends, families, and alums, it was really great!" 

The Ephs will be back in action in Middlebury, VT as they take on Middlebury College in the second round of the NESCAC tournament on Sunday, November 5th at 3:00 PM EST.