Box Score MEDFORD – On Senior Night in Cousens Gym the Tufts volleyball team honored seniors Mackenzie Bright and Katie Zheng before topping Connecticut College, 3-0, in NESCAC volleyball action.
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| Katie Zheng was honored before the game and then turned in eight digs. |
With the win the Jumbos improve to 15-8 overall and 6-3 in NESCAC games. The Camels fall to 10-14 overall and 2-7 in conference games.
The Jumbos jumped out to an early lead in set one, scoring six straight points behind the serve of sophomore Sophia Acker to take a 7-1 lead early. The Camels fought their way back, scoring four points behind the serve of Grace McGee, and would eventually come within three, 15-12. But, the Jumbos held on to the advantage and picked up a 25-19 win in set one.
The Camels grabbed the first advantage in the second set, but the Jumbos once again jumped onto the serve of Acker, scoring eight straight points to take an 11-6 lead. Then the Camels had a comeback of their own, as they went on a 7-2 run to tie things at 13. They would own a three-point lead, 18-15, but the Jumbos got a kill from sophomore Jennifer Ryan and then two Camel errors tied things at 18. The Jumbos followed that with an ace from junior Rachel Furash and then a kill from junior Christina Nwankpa put them ahead 20-18. They held onto that lead to pick up a 25-22 win in set two.
The two teams traded points to start the third set, and with things locked at eight the Jumbos went on a 7-1 scoring streak, thanks to a couple of aces from Furash and kills from Bright, Nwankpa and junior co-captain Maddie Stewart. The Jumbos held on to that lead, and survived a late Camel comeback that brought them within a point, 23-22, to pick up a 25-22 win in set three.
Bright, Nwankpa and Ryan were the offensive leaders with eight kills each. Nwankpa also added three blocks. Freshman Cate Desler added four kills, 11 digs and three blocks. Holz turned in six kills and four blocks. Defensively, Acker collected 11 digs and Zheng helped with eight. Furash and freshman Ariel Zedric took care of the setting, finishing with 21 and 17 assists, respectively.
For the Camels Avery Light was the offensive leader with seven kills and Katie Howley finished with six kills and eight digs. Emma Hewlin turned in five kills. Defenisvely, Katie Howley and Kellogg collected eight digs each. Elle Kass added seven digs to the night. McKaela Simons and McGee ran the offense, finishing with 11 and nine assists, respectively.
The Jumbos are back in action on Saturday when they wrap up their regular season schedule by hosting Wesleyan at 1 pm. The Camels travel up to Bowdoin for a 2 pm match with the Polar Bears.
