NEW LONDON, CT - The Tufts volleyball team defeated NESCAC rival Williams College in four sets on Saturday afternoon at Connecticut College. Junior setter Kendall Lord (LaJolla, CA) led the Jumbos with 41 assists, seven service aces and 15 digs.
After Tufts took the first set 25-15, the next three were close: Tufts 25-22, Williams 26-24 and Tufts 28-26. Including last night's three-set victory against Hamilton, Coach Cora Thompson's Jumbos opened the conference schedule with a 2-0 weekend while improving to 5-0 overall. Williams is now 0-2 in NESCAC and 4-3 overall.
Jumbo senior tri-captain Cara Spieler (Santa Barbara, CA) paced the offense with 15 kills and a .306 hitting percentage. She filled up the stat sheet with 18 service receptions, seven digs, two block assists and an ace. Likewise, first year Kelly Brennan (Burr Ridge, IL) was solid on both sides of the net, finishing with 10 kills and nine digs. Senior tri-captain Lexi Nicholas (San Diego, CA) added six kills.
Along with Brennan, first years Isabel Kuhel (Brisbane, CA) and Hayley Hopper (Carlsbad, CA) also played key roles in the win. Kuhel continued to be a force defensively at the net with two solo blocks and three block assists. Hopper added four kills and a block assist at a key time in the fourth set.
Senior Audrey Kuan (Los Altos, CA) continued her defensive leadership with 26 digs.
The Jumbos next play on Tuesday at Brandeis. The Ephs open their home season on Wednesday night against Southern Vermont.
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