Ephs Lose to Undefeated Tufts 3-1

Williamstown, MA - On Senior Night the Williams College Ephs (8-5, 1-3 NESCAC) had an intense bout with the Tufts University Jumbos (7-5, 4-0 NESCAC) which ended with a hard-fought loss 3-1.  

After an ace, the Jumbos took off with an immediate 4-point lead. Williams achieved their first point off of a lucky dig, and then a Jumbo hitting error after a rally consisting of two amazing Williams digs made the score 4-2. The Ephs couldn't seem to make their break however, and a powerful Jumbo kill over the block gave them a 7-3 lead. Tufts offense, specifically the pins, were making smart and strong plays, though Williams back row was putting up so much. After a roll shot from the opposite hitter landed in the far right side, the Ephs called a timeout. Tufts kept hammering post-timeout to grow their lead and stop the Ephs before they could get any traction, but at 15-4, Keely Campuzano nailed a powerful kill over the block which deflected off the libero to give Williams their 5th point and chance to build momentum. After Chi Obi tipped the ball just over the net, the Ephs went on their first run off the game and pressured a Tufts timeout 16-9. Chi Obi and Helen Qian went right off the timeout to block a 3-tempo run by the Jumbo's middle and Morgan Daetz immediately followed that up with an ace. Annaliese Fricke then ran a beautiful pipe run to give William's their third point and after an intense rally with Sidra Wohlwend having an amazing dig off of an open kill, the set became 17-12. A shutdown double-block by Tufts let them break 20 and forced a final Williams timeout. The Jumbos got the next 5 points back-to-back taking the set strong, 25-12. 



In the second set the Ephs seized the first two points quickly, as Keely Campuzano hit a strong ball to the middle back of the court. After an attack error, which gave the Ephs another point, a momentum stopping block let Tufts have their first point at 4-1. Keely Campuzano, who activated a strong swinging habit, hit another devastating ball that deflected heavily off the libero's platform and into the stands. Tufts managed to get 2 points following an ace, but a service error equalized the exchanges and gave Williams the chance to keep running off with the lead. After a few more exchanges, with Lilly Fox and Chi Obi completely shutting down their middle twice in a row, Williams took up a confident lead 8-5. Tufts almost caught up after getting a short run, but Williams pulled away with Annaliese Fricke getting a kill off the tape and Helen Qian winning a contested one-tempo kill to bring the set to 12-9 Ephs. The Jumbos got two successful blocks after tight sets to the Williams outside, bringing the set to a close one point deficit. Tufts successfully took the lead after a tool, but Williams took it back immediately following an overhead ball and an attack error. The match now became a battle to 10 points at 15-15, with the Ephs needing this set more to stay head-to-head with their tough competition. Lilly Fox had a quick overhead swipe to retake the lead, but Tufts got two more points to take the lead again. After an intricate combination play, Tufts started running off with the lead and the Ephs called a nervous timeout. Williams was able to come back and tie the set at 20, but the Jumbos created danger taking the first two points following a quick setter dump, and post-timeout came out with another kill and took the set 25-20.

Coming off the prolonged intensity of the previous set, the third set opened with lower energy and an even exchange 6-6. After a high hit by Keely Campuzano went directly over the Jumbos block and a direct shut-out by Chi Obi, the Ephs proceeded to start a small run. An attack error gave the Ephs their next point, but their own attack error stopped the run 11-9. After two more Williams points, including a tip over the net by Chi Obi and an attack error, Tufts called a timeout down 13-10. The Jumbos got their leveled score after two attack errors, but an off-system set kicked back the lead to Williams. Helen Qian achieved a strong block in the middle to give the Ephs a small, yet impactfull two point lead 16-14. After some net-neutral exchanges, the score slowly built up 18-16, but two much-needed Jumbo blocks turned the set even. An attack error put the ball back in the Ephs court, but yet another block evened the score. A shut-out on a back row kill attempt gave the Ephs a dangerous lead 22-20 and forced a last-minute timeout. Keely Campuzano gave the Ephs their 23rd point after finding an open cross-court kill, and followed up immediately with another kill just over the Jumbo block. The third set was quickly won by the Ephs after a final attack error 25-21.

The Jumbos controlled the opening of the fourth set: an overall aggressive offense paired with a few combination plays and topped off with an ace forced Williams to call an early timeout down 5-1. The Ephs began to step it up, getting a few kills in their uphill battle to bring the score 8-4. A series of points went to Tufts who gained a confident 9-point lead, and Williams gained a little bit of traction to bring the score 16-10. The Ephs back row were executing perfect play, but Tufts was also able to stay put and attack restlessly– many intense rallies ended with an aggressive Jumbo kill. A service error allowed Tufts to break 20, but a run by the Ephs, backed by a strong, persistent defense, climbing up 3 points spurred a Jumbo timeout 21-16. Tufts came out strong and aggressive, taking 3 kills and a block to ultimately finish the set 25-18.

Eph head coach Christi Kelsey gave her reflections on the match, "Tonight was a tough one for sure but some good areas of focus for us as well. I thought we really did a great job in adjusting after the first set and made adjustments in our game and also our mentality with how we competed to start the second set. There were a lot of positive and great moments in sets 2, 3 and 4 but our team has to find a way to stay steady and consistent from start to finish in how we compete. Looking forward to the opportunity to play again tomorrow against Bates."

The Ephs will be back shortly at home tomorrow October 5th, playing Bates College 2:00 PM EST.