New London, CT - Aiming to stay undefeated in NESCAC play, Williams College (9-2, 3-1 NESCAC) traveled to face Connecticut College (8-4, 2-2 NESCAC) and ultimately came up just short in a five-set thriller, falling 3-2 to the Camels.
The Ephs got out to a good start in the fifth set as an ace from junior
Catherine Vermeulen made it 4-2 for Williams. However, from that point on it was the Camels that dictated the action, as Conn went on a 6-2 streak, pressuring the Ephs into calling a timeout. The Camels continued on their hot streak, however, and rode it out to the end of the match, as the Ephs simply had no answers for Conn over the last ten points of the match. A Williams attack error finalized the final set 15-9, securing the match for Conn.
It was the Camels who were in control for most of the first set, running out to an early 8-5 advantage behind consecutive kills from junior Amanda Kreidler. The Ephs won the next three points to tie the score, but Conn quickly got back on top and stretched their lead by winning five out of six points, forcing Williams to call their first timeout of the match. Although the Ephs won three out of four coming out of the timeout, the Camels were able to keep them from getting any closer, and kept them at arms length for the rest of the set, closing it out 25-21.
The second set was led by the Ephs from beginning to finish, as they used a powerful team attack to tie the match at one set apiece. Senior
Celia Adams set up an early five-point advantage for Williams by smashing home a strong kill, followed by a service ace, pressuring the Camels into calling a timeout. Although Conn pulled back within two with a strong run of play, the Ephs pushed back with a five point run to stretch their lead to 18-11 behind a well-struck kill from
Annaliese Fricke. Senior
Marit Hoyem finished off the set with two quick service aces to clinch the second set 25-17 for Williams.
The third set was back and forth early on, but the Ephs were eventually able to steady themselves and ride out a spirited effort from the Camels to secure the set. By the time a Williams attack error gave Conn an 8-7 lead, there had already been seven ties as neither team was able to gain any separation from the other. However, once down 10-8, the Ephs flipped a switch and the next six points in a row to take a 14-10 lead, with senior setter
Lauren Kauppila contributing three service aces and a kill. From there, Williams controlled the action, never relinquishing the lead again as sophomore
Annaliese Fricke secured the third set 25-20 for the Ephs with a strong kill.
The fourth set, on the other hand, was all Conn after the early action. Although the Ephs kept it competitive early on, a kill from first year Rae Wartelle started an onslaught for the Camels that would turn a slim 9-7 lead into a wide 21-10 advantage. From there the mission for Williams was simply to build some momentum going into the pivotal fifth set, which they did seem to do by saving four set points before an error finally won the set 25-16 for Conn.
Conn leaders were: junior Katherine Randall with 17 kills, senior Natasha Shrivastava with 44 assists, and first year Caroline Festersen with 17 digs. Williams leaders were:
Celia Adams with 18 kills,
Lauren Kauppila with 54 assists, and
Lauren Kauppila and junior
Sidra Wohlwend with 11 digs each.
Reflecting on the tough loss, Eph head coach
Christi Kelsey commented, "Tough one tonight for sure. Lots of credit to Conn as they played a really consistent and strong match from start to finish. We never really could find our rhythm tonight as a team. I know this is a resilient group, and we will take the learning moments from this match and will be looking forward to having the opportunity to compete again tomorrow!"
Williams will be back in action in Brunswick, ME at 1:00 PM EST when they face Bowdoin College in a battle of NESCAC rivals.
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