MEDFORD, Mass. – The Williams College volleyball team opened up NESCAC play with a thrilling five-set victory over No.17 Tufts on Friday night in Cousens Gymnasium, earning a 3-2 victory to improve, to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in the conference.
 
The Ephs took the first two sets by identical 25-23 scores before falling in sets three and four, 21-25 and 24-26, as the Jumbos battled back to force a fifth set.
 
Williams took control in the fifth set, earning a 15-10 victory to seal the comeback. With the match on the line, Elsa Miller came up with a huge block to put the game away and secure the road win for the Ephs. 

"We are so incredibly proud of this team," said head coach Christi Kelsey. "This was a really really well fought NESCAC battle on both sides of the net. Tufts is a great team and this match just showcases how tough this conference is night in and night out."

The Ephs finished with three players who posted double-digit kills, led by Chidimma Obi with 14, Keely Campuzano with 11 and Adalena Rodgers with 10 kills and 12 digs to record her third double-double on the year. 

Obi and Miller anchored Williams at the net, each recording six blocks, while Lilly Fox added five blocks. 

Eve Kaplan led the Ephs defensively with 26 digs, followed by Kate Lane with 15 and Rodgers with 12. Lane also contributed nine kills and four service aces, while Kaplan added two aces of her own. 

Lilly Carstens paced the Ephs with 19 assists, while Morgan Daetz added 17 assists and seven digs. 

"It was great to see how resilient and mentally tough our team stayed throughout the entire match. They were focused, confident and did a really incredible job of playing together and for each other," said Kelsey.

The victory marks Williams' first NESCAC win of the season and its first victory over a ranked opponent in 2026. 

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to play again tomorrow against Bates!"

Williams continues NESCAC play tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Ephs travel to Bates for a 2:00 p.m. match.