Ephs complete weekend sweep with 3-1 win at Bates

LEWISTON, Maine - The Williams College volleyball team showcased its remarkable depth Saturday afternoon, as 11 student-athletes made their way into the box score during a 3-1 triumph against Bates at Alumni Gym.

"This was another really great opportunity for our team to get better today," said head coach Christi Kelsey. "Bates is a strong team and certainly caused us to play a little more rattled and less consistent in the second set. The Bobcats played hard and made us work for each point. It was huge that our team reset when we started the third set and grounded our play back into the fundamentals, taking care of the first pass and serving tough. We also got a big spark off the bench from Maya Thompson and Adalena Rodgers who came in and really helped us shift momentum back in our favor."

Junior Morgan Daetz (21 assists) and sophomore Lilly Carstens (16 assists) controlled the tempo for the Ephs (13-1, 4-1 NESCAC), while junior Keely Campuzano (9 kills), sophomore Kate Lane (9 kills, 7 digs) and sophomore Chi Obi (8 kills) imposed their will at the net. On the defensive side, first-year Eve Kaplan led the way with nine digs, while first-year Adalena Rodgers contributed with eight.

Leading the way for the Bobcats (6-6, 1-4 NESCAC) were Ami Evans (10 kills, 9 digs), Lauren Croom (21 assists), Ellie Asada (12 digs) and Sofia Castiglioni (10 kills). Williams has defeated Bates in 32 consecutive matches dating back to 2000.

The Ephs raced out to a 6-0 lead in the first set on a kill by junior Tatum Baker. The Bobcats responded and built a 21-20 advantage, but then the visitors rose to the occasion in the clutch, scoring five of the final six points and securing a 25-22 triumph on a service ace by Daetz.

An ace by Isabel Bettencourt gave the hosts an 8-3 advantage in the second set. A kill by Evans secured a 25-16 victory for the Bobcats, as the two teams were tied at 1-1 going into the pivotal third set.

Bates continued riding its momentum from the second set and built a 4-1 lead in the third on a kill by Anais Reneaum. Williams showcased great composure and stemmed the tide with a 6-1 surge, building a 7-5 advantage on a kill by Thompson. The two teams were tied at 18-18, but the Ephs once again persevered under pressure, as a kill by Campuzano put the unit in front, 24-21. The group secured a 25-21 third-set triumph on an attack error by the Bobcats.

Even with a 2-1 lead, the Ephs stayed hungry and committed to the task in the fourth set, creating some separation with an 11-6 lead on a kill by Obi. Lane recorded the match-clinching ace during a 25-21 win.

"Overall it was a really great weekend for us to come out 2-0," said Kelsey. "We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete next weekend."

The Ephs take on Colby Friday at 7 p.m. in Chandler Gymnasium.