Cambridge, MA – In a challenging matchup, containing a fiercely contested second set, the Williams College Ephs (10-10, 3-5 NESCAC) faced the undefeated MIT Beavers (23-0) and fell 3-0. In their next match against Springfield (17-6), the Ephs battled to the fifth set but lost 3-2.
In the opening set against MIT, the Beavers quickly took control, leveraging their strong offense to secure a commanding 25-12 victory. The Beavers capitalized on a series of errors from Williams, with Ali Gibbs leading the charge. Despite some effective plays from Maya Thompson, the Ephs struggled to find their rhythm in the first set.
The second set saw Williams fighting back distinctively. MIT once again benefitted from 13 errors to bring the set to 24-15. But then, the Ephs displayed resilience and skill, pushing MIT into a tense back-and-forth battle. Morgan Daetz helped her team achieve 4 kills in a 5-point run, bringing the set 24-20 and forcing a Beavers timeout. Post-timeout key contributions from Keely Campuzano, who got a kill, and Annaliese Fricke and Maya Thompson, who got two blocks, helped Williams stay neck and neck with the Beavers. In this intense set, MIT was just not able to find their game winning point. Williams was able to make a 10-point run to now gain the lead 25-24. The set extended into extra points, with both teams exchanging leads: MIT got the next two points following an ace, but Williams came back after an attack error. Next, MIT also won the lead, however, after a kill by Tatum Baker, the Beavers managed to clinch the set 30-28.
In the third set, MIT regained their dominant form, replicating their first set performance with another 25-12 win. Williams committed several costly errors, which the Beavers efficiently exploited. Despite Keely Campuzano's dynamic efforts in the middle of the set, the Ephs couldn't close the gap, and MIT's execution sealed the match.
The next match against Springfield opened equally. Both teams were struggling to find their footing and committed several errors, but the Pride pulled away first 12-7 after more consistent play. After some more back-and-forth with the same course of competitiveness, Springfield took off and won the set 24-14.
In the second set the Ephs achieved an early 4-point run led by Lilly Fox's serves to go up 9-7. Springfield stole the lead fast, but two back-to-back blocks, including a solo block by Keely Campuzano helped the Ephs stay in the match. After some more exchanges, the Ephs went on a 6-point run with two aces by Lilly Carstens to put their lead at 21-14. The Ephs were able to close out this decisive lead, with Keely Campuzano achieving the final kill 25-18.
Williams went on an early 5-point run in the third set to go up 5-2 after Annaliese Fricke achieved back-to-back kills. This domination forced an incredibly early timeout for the Pride, which the Ephs doubled-down on extending their run to 9 total points. With a large deficit of 7 points, Springfield struggled to find any momentum, and Morgan Daetz's ace put the set 16-8 in an even larger lead. After some consistent back-and-forth, with Williams showcasing all of their options in getting kills, the set reached 24-16, and although Springfield achieved a four point run, a hasty timeout stopped their momentum and allowed the Ephs to win 25-20.
The Pride kicked off the fourth set after a few powerful kills and a block established some dominance in the game. Williams called an early preemptive timeout 9-5 to regain momentum, but Springfield kept the pressure on, totaling a 5 point run post-timeout to bring the set 12-5. The Ephs regrouped in the middle of the set, to achieve a four point run led by Tatum Baker's serve, which coerced a timeout by the Pride, still 17-12. Shortly after some even exchanges, Kami Israelski awarded her team two back-to-back aces. Still down, Springfield got the next two points, and now up 24-17, the Pride closed out, 25-19, taking the match to the fifth set.
The fifth set started slow again for Williams. An immediate four-point run forced a timeout by the Ephs. Helen Qian tried to rehash the fate of the game, but Maeve Voltz for the Pride executed three consecutive kills to take their lead 7-1. Taking advantage of 3 Pride errors, the Ephs were able to climb up a distinct four points to begin catching up 8-5 and pressuring a Springfield timeout. The Pride came back much stronger, accomplishing a run of 6 points. With one point remaining, Williams tried to fight back, having to sustain a 9-point run, something which they proved was very doable for their team. However, after two points, the Pride completed the set 15-7, winning the game.
Williams' head coach Christi Kelsey stated, "There were some definite moments of strong play from our team in both matches today. Definitely the 2nd set of the MIT match and lots of stretches during our Springfield match. We are optimistic about how our team continues to improve week after week. We will get back in the gym Monday and focus in on our last weekend of NESCAC matches and the regular season."
Eph senior captain
Sidra Wohlwend was named to the All Tournament Team.
The Ephs will be back in action next week in Clinton NY, against Hamilton College on November 1st at 7:30 PM EST.
