Box Score
MEDFORD – The Tufts volleyball team remained undefeated at home this season, knocking off local rival, Babson, 3-0 in Cousens Gyms on Tuesday night.
With the win the Jumbos improve to 15-1 this season with a perfect 7-0 mark in NESCAC play. Babson falls to 12-8 with the loss and they are 6-2 in NEWMAC play this season.
The Jumbos took the lead at the beginning of the first set and after things were tied at 6-6 the Jumbos took the lead and would hold that lead for the duration of the first set. Up by one, 7-6, the Jumbos scored six straight points behind the serve of freshman Brigid Bell to grow their lead, 12-6. Though the Beavers managed a point here and there, they weren't able to put a dent in the Jumbos lead and the home team took the first set, 25-12.
It was Babson that scored first in the second set, but the Jumbos soon took the lead and were able to keep it. During the second set the Jumbos would score a total of 12 points behind the serve of junior Alex Garrett who finished the evening with three service aces. The Jumbos took the second set, 25-15.
The third set was much like the first two as the Jumbos jumped out to an early lead and were able to hold on to that lead for the 25-14 win in set three to complete the three set win.
Senior Elizabeth Ahrens and freshmen Bell and Christina Nwankpa all finished with six kills to lead the Jumbos and senior McKenzie Humann and sophomore Mackenzie Bright each added five kills. Humann added four blocks to her night and Ahrens tallied three, two of those solo. Freshman Kelly Klimo led the Jumbos defensively, finishing with 16 digs as sophomore Angela Yu added nine and Bell and Garrett each tallied six. Yu and classmate Katie Zheng took care of the setting for the Jumbos, finishing with 12 and 13 assists, respectively.
For the visitors Lorraine Mackiewicz had a match-high eight kills for the Beavers and Jenny Karnes added six of her own. Abby Beecher finished the evening with seven digs, and Mackiewicz added six while Elizabeth Cameron tallied five. Cameron ran the offense for the Beavers, finishing the evening with 14 assists.
Babson will be back in action on Thursday as they travel to Rivier for a 7 pm start. The Jumbos remain home as they host Bates on Friday with a schedule start of 7 pm.
