Box Score
MEDFORD - Tufts volleyball won its home opener 3-2 over Colby-Sawyer College Tuesday night at Cousens Gym.
The Jumbos improved to 4-1 on the young season after opening play at the Brandeis Invitational over the weekend. Colby-Sawyer drops to 2-1.
Isabel Kuhel (Brisbane, CA) paced the offense with 16 kills and was in on five blocks. The junior middle hitter had 11 of her kills in the second and third matches leading Tufts to 25-16 and 25-20 wins and a 2-1 lead.
The Chargers came back in set four taking their biggest lead of the match at 16-9 on an 11-1 run fueled by three kills by Emilee McBride. Tufts closed to within two at 21-19, but Colby-Sawyer hung on with Sarah Hannon serving an ace for the 25-20 win to send the set to a fifth match.
It was only the second five-set match for Tufts and the Jumbos prevailed again. Hayley Hopper (Carlsband, CA) had two of her 12 kills early in the set to give Tufts a 3-2 lead. A McBride kill would give the Chargers their last lead at 8-7. Tufts took over from there, scoring four straight points with the set winner coming on a block by Elizabeth Ahrens (Richmond, VA).
Kyra Baum (Boca Raton, FL) had 47 assists while Carolina Berger (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) had a team-high 24 digs. Hopper and Rebecca Rubin (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) each had 13 digs.
McBride and Stephanie Vecchio lead the Chargers with 11 kills each. Courtney O'Hara added 10 kills. Laura Smolinski had 41 assists and Aly Le-Bruno added 29 digs.
The Jumbos next play at home on Friday September 13 at 4:00 p.m. against Endicott as part of the MIT Invitational. They also play Southern Vermont at 8:00 p.m. that night.
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