Williamstown, MA - Williams College (2-2) hosted Skidmore College (1-7) in their home opener and won 3-1.
The Skidmore Thoroughbreds initially took the lead by 2 points due to Williams' errors, but the Ephs quickly realized a weakness in their blocking which they targeted through strong and well-placed attacks. Williams' first points were by a 5 point run which they achieved by hitting over and through Skidmore's blocks, utilizing the late timing and misplacement of the Thoroughbred's front line of defense: Williams was aiming the hit directly in between the large gap left by the blockers and deflecting the ball off of their arms. Keely Campuzano especially used this tool play the ball off of Skidmore's outside blocker twice in a row, and continuously throughout an 8 point run, Williams dialed up their aggressiveness after getting more comfortable in this successful habit. After a Skidmore timeout, their seemingly overbearing point deficit was slightly reduced through a 5-point run, bringing the set 21-16. This run came from a combination of Skidmore's adjustment on their defense, closing in the block, and in turn Williams playing slightly less aggressively and they lost their momentum. The first set was still a victory for the Ephs 25-20.
Williams immediately opened the second set reasserting their dominance by taking the lead 8-0. At this point in the match, the Ephs were playing with much more harmony than previously, resulting in many fewer errors. Also, by putting up better blocks, the Ephs forced the Thoroughbreds to attack in a way that is much easier for the Eph back row to pass. Starting to play aggressively again, the Ephs quickly brought the set to 16-7 in their favor. However, once again towards the end of the set, Skidmore was able to gain slight traction, tipping over and into the Ephs blocks, but it wasn't enough for them to make a comeback against the overwhelming lead and Williams' won due to their strong and unanswered offense 25-15.
The Thoroughbreds found a better playing strategy in the third set, prompting the first Williams timeout down 6-1. Taking what they saw worked in the second set, Skidmore began executing smart tips which gave them more successful kill percentages. The Ephs were now up against a more confident opponent, whose lead helped them build the momentum that created better playing habits. Williams however, stepped up to the pressure and the match turned into an even trading off of points, but the Thoroughbreds, for the first time in the middle of a set, enjoyed a lead 16-12. The Ephs desperately needed someone to start a strong overcoming tide. Tatum Baker had a back row attack which was about to begin that run, but the Thoroughbreds responded with a far, right corner tip. Then Keely Campuzano had a powerful cross-court kill, but Skidmore still managed to defend their lead. After a Williams block, Skidmore called a reluctant, nervous timeout with a narrow two point lead. In the end, Skidmore clinched the set following two aces 25-21.
The Ephs opened the unexpected fourth set finding a small but comfortable 3 point lead. Over the course of the match leading up to this set, both teams had been committing many fewer errors, inciting many intense rallies that frequently flipped the morale of each team. After an ace, Skidmore brought the set to a one-point lead, and then both teams kept exchanging points. Three Skidmore errors brought the Ephs to another 3-point lead, but Williams still couldn't nudge a bigger lead to feel more confidence in the set. After a service error by Skidmore towards the midpoint of the set, the Thoroughbreds seemed to have lost a lot of energy and began giving Williams slightly more open opportunities. Right off of a timeout at 15-11, Williams committed two errors which gave Skidmore what looked like a final chance. Skidmore brought Williams' lead down 19-18, but a huge straight-down block by Tatum Baker was what put the final nail in the coffin. After a few more Williams-dominated exchanges, the set was finally but arduously won 25-20.
Eph head coach Christi Kelsey had this to say about the course of the match, "Overall, I thought this was a really great first home win. We are very proud of our team for how they responded from things we learned over the weekend. We had a great practice on Monday and our team really brought their focus and energy into the match tonight. The first two sets were pretty consistent and we did a great job of executing well. Skidmore did a nice job of responding and pushing us in the third set and got us a little bit out of rhythm for sure. We talked about how it was an opportunity for us in the fourth set to see how we could adjust and reset our focus and we thought the team did a really great job of coming out and closing out the match for the win!"
Williams plays next in Albany, NY against Russell Sage College on Friday 7:00 PM EST.
