Box Score 
BRUNSWICK, Maine – Second-seed Wesleyan University defeated third-seed Tufts in five sets on Saturday to move on to tomorrow's NESCAC Volleyball Championship Match.
The Cardinals (17-5) trailed 8-4 in the decisive fifth set, but outscored the Jumbos 11-4 the rest of the way to earn the victory. Kills by Bella Ahearn, Mariko Tanaka and Kate Long helped Wesleyan tie the fifth set at 10-10, then two kills apiece by Maddie Kurke and Long helped them clinch the victory.
Tufts had charged to an 11-3 lead in the first set and led 20-10 on a rare kill by Stephanie Lee. Wesleyan would cut the gap a bit, but not enough and the Jumbos won the first relatively easily 25-19 with a Maya Lightfoot kill ending it.
The Jumbos couldn't hold a 20-14 lead in the second set, as Wesleyan rallied to win 27-25 and even the match. The Cardinals' final three points were scored on Jumbo errors, with a block by Tanaka closing out the win for Wes.
Tufts rebounded nicely in the third set with a 25-18 win. The match was close throughout, with the Jumbos emerging out of a 13-13 tie helped by a Christine Audette service ace and a Grace Legris kill. The Cardinals were as close as 18-16, but had four errors down the stretch aiding Tufts' cause. Another kill by Lightfoot for Tufts set up set point, which the Jumbos secured on a Wesleyan attack error.
The fourth was tied 18-18 and Wesleyan had the stronger finish. Two kills each by Ahearn and Long helped the Cardinals open up a lead and a block by Tanaka forced the decisive fifth set.
Tufts had four players finish with double-figure kills including Cate Desler (14), Lightfoot (14), Jennelle Yarwood (12) and Rileigh Farragher (10). Maddie Yu served three aces, Ariel Zedric led with 25 assists and Lee had 28 digs. Legris totaled two solo blocks and three assists.
Kurke's 14 kills led Wesleyan, who will play host and #1 seed Bowdoin in the conference final tomorrow. Ahearn with 12 kills and Long with 10, and 46 assists from Grace Dennis were also keys to the Cardinals' performance. Jenna Otala's 28 digs and seven solo blocks by Tanaka were the top defensive efforts.
Tufts (18-5) will await potential NCAA Tournament berth.
