Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
|
Tri-captain Cara Spieler had nine kills and 17 digs in the Springfield match
|
SOUTH HADLEY/NORTHAMPTON - The Tufts volleyball team flexed its muscles with two impressive wins over regional top 10 teams at the 20th Annual Hall of Fame Invitational on Saturday. The Jumbos defeated Springfield, which is tied for second in New England, in four sets, and followed that with a three-set win over #10 in New England and NESCAC rival Williams.
Including Friday night's three-set win over Westfield State, the Jumbso finished the tournament with a 3-0 record. Senior libero Audrey Kuan (Los Altos, CA) was named to the All-Tournament team. Coach Cora Thompson's Tufts team is ranked fourth regionally this week. With the two victories, Tufts (20-4) reached the 20-win milestone for the fourth straight season.
In a match played at Mount Holyoke College, the Jumbos made amends for a three-set loss against Springfield at the MIT Invitational on September 24. The loss was just the second of the season for the Pride, who dropped to 26-2.
The Jumbos had attack contributions from several different players against Springfield, led by 13 kills from first year Kelly Brennan (Burr Ridge, IL). They were effective at the service line with eight aces, including two to go with 11 kills by first year Hayley Hopper (Carlsbad, CA). Kuan was exceptional defensively, handling 34 pass attempts perfectly and digging 22 balls. First year Izzy Kuhel (Brisbane, CA) finished with a solo block and four assists.
Lauren Torvi's 17 kills and five blocks led the way for Springfield, while Tessa Smolinski chipped in nine kills and 16 digs. Consol added seven kills and three blocks and Itza Nieves posted a team-best 18 digs. Meaghan Hart was credited with 11 digs and two aces in the loss.
Tufts traveled to Smith College for the Williams match. The Jumbo win over the Ephs (16-10) was the second of the year, including a Tufts victory in conference play on September 17.
Brennan, with 17 kills and four errors in 43 attempts, led the offense against the Ephs. Junior Kendall Lord (LaJolla, CA) averaged 12 assists per set. Kuan wrapped up her weekend with 16 more flawless service receipts and 10 digs. Lord's 12 digs led the Jumbos.
Claire Miller led Williams offensively with 11 kills in 29 attempts, good for a .310 hitting percentage (two errors). First year Callie Kiernan slammed home eight kills in 12 attempts with only one error, a hitting percentage of .583. Holly Harper, Aly McKinnon and Miller each had eight digs, while three blocks apiece came from Emily Doll and Haley Eagon.
The Jumbos play their final home match of the regular season on Wednesday night against Emerson.
Springfield match statistics
Williams match statistics
#
