WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Williams College volleyball team showcased its balanced attack, as three Ephs recorded 10 or more kills, two finished with double-digit assists and two posted double figures in digs during a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bowdoin at Chandler Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
"This was a really great bounce back win for us today as a team," said head coach
Christi Kelsey. "We were so proud of how the team navigated being pushed and challenged by a very strong Bowdoin team. We stayed resilient and continued to play for each other. We were grounded in our skills and remained confident throughout the ups and downs of the match. It is a really great way to end the weekend. We are looking forward to the next opportunity to be back at the gym together next week."
First-year
Adalena Rodgers posted a career-high 11 kills and recorded her first double-double of the season with 13 digs for the Ephs (14-2, 5-2 NESCAC). Junior
Morgan Daetz (22 assists), sophomore
Lilly Carstens (18 assists, 8 digs), first-year
Eve Kaplan (17 digs), junior
Tatum Baker (11 kills, 7 digs) and sophomore
Chi Obi (10 kills) played well for the hosts. Zoe Ryu was outstanding for the Polar Bears (10-7, 3-3 NESCAC) with 28 kills and 13 digs.
Bowdoin scored the first point of the match, and then Williams scored the ensuing five points and never relinquished the lead again during the opening set. A kill by sophomore
Lilly Fox gave the unit a 20-12 advantage, and then Rodgers slammed the clinching kill in a 25-18 win.
The script was flipped in the second with the Ephs scoring the first point, and then Bowdoin responded with the next two points and never trailed again in the set during a 25-15 triumph. A kill by Skye LaMendola allowed the visitors to secure a 25-22 third-set victory.
Williams responded and evened the match in the fourth. The Ephs began the set with a 4-0 surge, concluding with a service ace by Daetz. The Polar Bears trimmed the deficit down to 14-13 on a kill by Ryu, but a kill by Baker gave Williams some separation at 21-16. A service error by Bowdoin clinched a 25-21 victory for the Ephs.
In the decisive fifth set and the race to 15 points, Williams quickly got some breathing room, as an ace by Carstens put the group in front, 8-4. A service error by the visitors clinched a 15-11 triumph and the match for the Ephs.
The Ephs will compete against No. 21-ranked Wesleyan on Friday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. in Middletown, Connecticut.
Â
