CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — The Williams College volleyball team battled through two matches Saturday at the New England Challenge, dropping a five-set match to Springfield in the morning before falling to No. 25 Babson, 3-0, in the afternoon at Rockwell Cage.

The Ephs opened the day with a back-and-forth battle against Springfield, falling 3-2 (26-24, 22-25, 23-25, 28-26, 15-11). Williams answered after dropping the opening set, taking the second and third sets to build a 2-1 lead. The Ephs continued to battle in the fourth, but Springfield edged Williams 28-26 to force a deciding fifth set and claim a 15-11 victory. 

Adalena Rodgers led the Ephs with 15 kills against Springfield, while Kate Lane added 10 kills. Maya Thompson recorded nine kills and three service aces, hitting .438 on 16 attacks. Eve Kaplan anchored the defense with 16 digs

The Ephs returned to the court in the afternoon against No. 25 Babson, falling 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-14).

Keely Campuzano led Williams offensively with eight kills and added a team-high five blocks. Rodgers contributed six kills, while Lane added three. Morgan Daetz recorded 10 assists and seven digs, with Emily Cao adding eight assists. Kaplan again paced the Ephs defensively with 16 digs.

The Ephs now turn their attention back to NESCAC play, closing out the regular season next weekend with road matches at Wesleyan on Friday, Oct. 30 and Amherst on Saturday, Oct. 31.