Waterville, Maine - Williams College (9-6, 2-4 NESCAC) battled the the #24th ranked team in the country, Colby College (15-1, 5-0 NESCAC) in an intense match going to the fifth set and ending in a very close loss.
The first set was incredibly strong for Colby. A combination of accurate defense and a tactical offense put the Mules far ahead quickly, taking off with a lead of 8-3 before Williams first timeout following a three point run. In this opening, the Ephs committed two service errors which allowed Colby to keep pressure with possession and build up their momentum. Post timeout kept seeing the Mules continue building up their lead. Their setter proved very difficult to read, resulting in imperfect blocks, and their front row were finding open spaces very well to either hit, but mostly tip or roll to. Though the Ephs front row was swinging with more power, the Mules' intelligent offense garnered their very strong lead. The next timeout was called 14-4, and Colby quickly broke 20 before being stopped momentarily by a 3-point run by the Ephs. Then as they approached 24, three errors gave the Ephs another three points, but the Ephs were ultimately defeated in the first set 25-13.
The second set played out in a completely different tone than the first. Colby opened on an error, giving the Ephs the first point, and then a brilliant read by Annaliese Fricke awarded her with a block, followed by an ace by Morgan Daetz, dialed up the momentum for the Ephs. This carried on to end with a 5-point run after Morgan managed another ace and forced a timeout 6-0. With much more improved readability and success from the defense in covering difficult hits, the Ephs turned into a much more competitive opponent, executing a relentless offense. A second timeout was called 13-6. This time, the Mules were able to track their own momentum, achieving a few runs that seemed to shake the Ephs into committing a few more errors. The Ephs were lucky to find several service errors from the Mules in this period, and maintain a 20-14 lead. The Mules tried their best attempt to catch up, and slightly gained advantage, however their deficit was too low and the Ephs pulled away with a 4-point run, featuring Annaliese Fricke with two back-to-back kills to take their first set 25-18.
The third set was a dramatic back and forth clash between the two teams who desperately wanted to take the lead. Williams struck first, with a small run finished by a powerful kill, deflected off the block, by Keely Campuzano to bring the set 5-1. Colby then picked up 6 attack errors by the Ephs, giving them all their points to take the lead 8-6. This gave them the confidence to go on a four point run, stacking their dangerous lead to 12-7, as the Ephs tried to regain their tempo. Another four point run, this time by Williams, caused a precautionary Mules' timeout 14-13, who were scared of their opponents buildup. However the teams kept at each others backs by one-point throughout many prolonged rallies, and the Ephs started to break away 19-17. Williams was blocked at their lead 21-20, and their offense was consistently being shut down by the Mules front row defense. The teams began to go head-to-head at 22-22, and an attack error made the Ephs call a timeout 23-22. The Ephs managed to get their chance at 24-23 proceeding a kill and Mule attack error, but a shanked free ball gave the Mules their equalizing breath of air. Three more equalizers made the score 27-27, and a strong block gave the Mules their first opportunity to win. After an attack error, the Mules took the set 29-27.
The Mules opened the next seton a four point run. Annaliese Fricke found the corner of the court to get a momentum-turning kill, as Williams received two more points to bring the score closer. Two fortunate attack errors gave the Ephs an equalizer 5-5, and the teams kept trading off points until two Ephs errors let Colby start to pull away 13-11. A powerful cross-court kill by Annaliese Fricke, followed by three more Williams put the Ephs in the lead and sparked a Colby timeout 15-13. However, four kills in a row, following an overhead kill by Keely Campuzano, by the Ephs turned the lead over 15-13 and prompted a nervous Colby timeout. An open middle kill by Obi Chi and a block gave the Ephs a powerful lead 17-14, and a grateful serve, just over the tape, by Keely Campuzano, gave them an additional advantage 19-15. Tatum Baker helped Williams break 20 with a kill off the block, and an attack error made the Mules call a desperate timeout down 21-16. Helen Qian found a quick tempo set to give Williams the 22nd point, but a few runs followed by two attack errors and an ace made Ephs call timeout 22-19. Annaliese Fricke with a clutch kill was followed by Morgan Daetz with a powerful float to ultimately award Williams with the set 25-21.
The Ephs and Mules went point for point at the start of the fifth set exchanging kills, but Tatum Baker provided the first two point lead with a smart kill under the block. A series of 4-points by the Mules, consisting of a tricky opposite slide and overhead kill, forced the first timeout with a 6-4 lead over the Ephs. Williams came back strong, with two kills and a block, to instantly retake the lead and force a Colby timeout, who were able to tie the game at 8 but fell to Helen Qian, who achieved a kill and block back-to-back to give the Ephs a meaningful 10-8 lead. An attack error and kill by Obi Chi forced the Mules second timeout in a row at 12-9, and an ace immediately gave Williams a confident look to win 13-9. However, two impossible kills and an error let the Mules pull close 13-12, igniting a timeout, and three unfortunate errors gave Colby the win: a middle swipe that went out, a miscommunication in passing a third touch, and a block.Â
Eph head coach Christi Kelsey reflected on the tough loss tonight: "This is a tough one for sure tonight. We got off to a really slow start but so incredibly proud of how the team turned it around from set 2 onward. We made some adjustments not only in our execution of skills but also in how we wanted to compete. We had multiple moments to close out sets and even win the match but came up just short. Lots of really good learning moments and looking forward to the opportunity to compete again tomorrow."
Williams volleyball will be back tomorrow in Brunswick, Maine on October 12th to play Bowdoin College 2:00 PM EST.Â
