ATLANTA -- The Tufts University volleyball team evened their
record at 2-2 with two wins on Saturday at the Emory College
Classic. The Jumbos defeated Texas Lutheran in five, and then
finished the tournament with a four-game win over Gettysburg.
Tufts had lost both of its matches on Friday against St.
Catherine and host Emory. They came back today with a gritty effort
to pull out their first win of the year against Texas Lutheran.
After losing the fourth game 25-18 to draw even at two games
apiece, the Jumbos rolled to a 15-6 win in the decisive fifth game
to take the match.
Fourteen kills by senior co-captain Caitlin Updike (Manhattan
Beach, CA) led the Jumbos, while junior Nancy Shrodes (Manhattan
Beach, CA) contributed 11. On defense, junior Cara Spieler (Santa
Barbara, CA) had 23 digs and was perfect on all 22 of her passing
attempts. Sophomore Kiersten Ellefsen (Goshen, NY) was in on five
blocks, including three solos.
A 26-24 victory in game two against Gettysburg put Tufts up 2-0
in that match. They dropped the third game, but clinched the
victory with a rousing 25-11 win in the fourth.
The Jumbos served 17 aces in the Gettysburg match, including
seven by junior Lexi Nicholas (San Diego, CA) and six from
sophomore Kendall Lord (LaJolla, CA). Shrodes and Spieler both put
down 10 kills to lead Tufts offensively. Spieler's 12 digs and 17
pass attempts were tops on defense.
Updike was named to the Emory Classic All-Tournament team.
The Jumbos open Cousens Gymnasium for a new season on Tuesday
night (Sept. 14) when they host Gordon College at 7 pm.
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