MEDFORD, MA (September 16, 2023) -- Seniors
Rileigh Farragher and
Tori Goldin led the way offensively with nine kills apiece, and the Jumbos battled back from a Friday night loss to No. 18 Wesleyan University to knock off Trinity College (Conn.) 3-0 in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) action from Cousens Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
The Jumbos (3-3, 1-0 NESCAC) had a strong afternoon hitting the ball, hitting .286 for the day while finishing with 43 kills on the day. Tufts outscored the Bantams (4-3, 0-1 NESCAC) 60.5-30.0 on the afternoon, as it added nine aces and eight blocks as well.
It wasn't easy though for the Jumbos, as Trinity led in each of the first sets including a 19-18 advantage in the first stanza on a kill by Bella Caffuzzi. Tufts offense would come to life from that point, posting five kills over the final seven points to capture a 25-19 first set win. Trinity would once again jump up in the second stanza, leading by four as late as 11-7 on a kill by Ellie Gordon. First-year
Emma Heckman started am 8-2 run over the next 10 points, highlighted by a kill by Goldin to put Tufts up 15-13.
Tufts wouldn't give up the lead the rest of the way, registering a 6-0 run to make it 22-15 before doubling the match lead to 2-0 after a kill by first-year
Claire Castor to cap the set. The third set though was all Jumbos, as the hosts took seven of the first eight points and cruised to the third set victory. During the stanza, first-year
Akpevwe Akpoigbe posted her first career kill.
In all, Goldin registered nine kills on 21 attempts, adding three assisted blocks and seven digs, while Farragher hit .273 on 22 attempts. Heckman tallied eight kills, hitting a stellar .500 for the match on 14 swings. Castor tallied seven terminations and 10 digs, also adding four aces, and sophomore
Zoe Gregory added 19 assists and five digs. First-year
Rianna Liu also contributed 16 assists and five digs, while senior libero
Megan Harrison was once again strong with 14 digs.
Eva Lekovic led the Bantams with 11 kills on the right side, and Gordon added six kills as well. Scarlett Jago tied for the match lead with 14 digs in the loss.
The Jumbos will return to play Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm on the road, taking the quick trip up to Beverly, MA to battle Endicott College in non-conference play.
--JUMBOS--
