Ephs earn hard-fought 3-2 win at Connecticut College

NEW LONDON, Conn. - Sophomore setter Lilly Carstens of the Williams College volleyball team compiled a double-double with a season-high 21 assists and career-best 15 digs Saturday afternoon, as the Ephs earned a dramatic 3-2 victory at NESCAC-rival Connecticut College.

Junior setter Morgan Daetz (22 assists), junior Keely Campuzano (11 kills), sophomore Chi Obi (13 kills, 6 digs), junior Tatum Baker (11 digs, 8 kills), first-year libero Eve Kaplan (12 digs) and sophomore Kate Lane (10 digs, 5 kills) led the charge for the Ephs (9-0, 2-0 NESCAC). Williams won the first two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-23, respectively, and then withstood a furious rally by the Camels (4-5, 0-2 NESCAC) to earn a 15-9 fifth-set triumph.

"We sure did get pushed and tested by a strong Connecticut College team," said head coach Christi Kelsey. "We played pretty consistent in the first two sets, but the Camels hung in there with us and executed more confidently in sets three and four. We could not find any sort of rhythm with our play and they stayed steady in those two sets. What we are most proud of though is how our team responded to the biggest test of our season so far."

The Ephs never trailed in the first set and took a 13-7 lead on a service ace by Daetz. The Camels trimmed the visitors' advantage down to 18-17 but Lane answered with a huge kill, and then Campuzano put the finishing touches on the set with the clinching kill. During the second set, Williams rallied from a 23-21 deficit by scoring four straight points, concluding with the game-clinching ace by Baker.

The Camels won sets three and four by scores of 25-15 and 25-13, respectively, but in the decisive fifth set, senior captain Helen Qian recorded three kills, two digs and one block assist, while Lane and Carstens played tremendous defense, combining for nine digs. Daetz and Carstens orchestrated the offense, teaming up for eight assists. The Camels built a 5-3 lead, but Williams showcased its poise under pressure and took the set, 15-9, with Campuzano clinching the match on a kill.

"We hit the floor in set five like it was the start of the match and mentally and physically reset as a team," said Kelsey. "We started doing the little things again that help us execute at a higher level and we regained our confidence in how much of a physical presence and force we can be as a team when we play together. It was a great early season test and awesome to start 2-0 in the NESCAC. There are lots of areas to keep improving, so we are excited to be back in the gym together next week."

The Ephs compete against Vassar Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Chandler Gymnasium.