Box Score
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Natalie Bruck was one of three Jumbos recognized on Seniors' Night
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MEDFORD – The Tufts University Jumbos picked up a three-set sweep (25-16, 25-22, 25-17) over the Hamilton College Continentals in NESCAC volleyball action on Friday evening at Cousens Gym.
The Jumbos improved to 11-6 overall and 6-2 in NESCAC play after they celebrated Senior Day, honoring Kendall Lord (LaJolla, CA), Natalie Bruck (Inverness, IL) and Kiersten Ellefsen (Goshen, NY) before the match. Hamilton falls to 7-13 (1-6).
The Jumbos led wire-to-wire in the first set and there was only one tie in the set at 1-1. The largest advantage came after a service ace by Lord that made it 18-7 in favor of Tufts.
Hamilton tallied the first two points of the second set on back-to-back service aces by junior Sarah Pfund (Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ). Tufts then tied the score at 3-3 and 4-4 before assuming the lead for good at 5-4.
The Continentals hung close throughout though with the biggest Jumbo lead coming at six, 15-9. After being down six, Hamilton scored nine of the next 13 points to pull within one and force a Tufts time-out. A service ace by Bruck helped the Jumbos regain control and score six of 10 to gain the win.
The third set had six ties and two lead changes as again Hamilton stayed close. After being down 3-0, the Continentals came back to take a 7-6 lead. Their last advantage came at 9-8. The Jumbos' largest lead of the set, eight, was also the final difference.
Sophomore Kelly Brennan (Burr Ridge, IL) had a team-high 18 kills and seven digs for the Jumbos. Lord finished with a match-high 33 assists while adding six digs. The other seniors, Ellefsen and Bruck, tallied four kills and two service aces respectively.
The Continentals were led by junior Brenna Corrigan's (Ramsey, NJ) 10 kills and nine digs. Pfund finished with a team-high 15 assists and two service aces. First-year Courtney Somerville (Chicago, IL) added eight kills.
Tufts will compete in the Beacons Invitational this weekend with matches being hosted at Cousens Gym. The Jumbos are scheduled to face Southwestern (TX) at 10 am and Endicott at 4 pm on Saturday.
Hamilton will play NESCAC opponent Bowdoin at 11 am Saturday followed by a non-league match-up against Coast Guard at 2:30 pm.
Match statistics
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