MEDFORD, MA (September 13, 2024) -- The Tufts University volleyball squad returned home for the first time since Opening Night Friday evening, hosting the opening day of action at the 2024 Boston Invitational but visiting Christopher Newport University controlled the net in earning a four-set win over the Jumbos.
Tufts (3-3) fell with scores of 25-21, 25-16, 25-27 and 25-15.
The Jumbos couldn't get their passing going early in the match, which in turn made it tough to get into system. Tufts hit well in the first set with a .229 clip, but the visiting Captains were just as efficient with a hitting mark of .378 in earning the first stanza. In the second, Tufts committed 11 errors in the frame, but the Jumbos would respond with 19 terminations in the third set to pick up a gritty third frame. With the set deadlocked at 25, Tufts got the serve back after an error by CNU and graduate student
Christine Audette clinched the frame with an ace to extend the match.
CNU's offense returned to form in the fourth set as the Captains hit a robust .542 with 15 kills to run away for the match victory. CNU would later knock off No. 17 Calvin University in the nightcap in three sets.
For Tufts, sophomore
Emma Heckman led all Jumbo hitters with 12 kills, while Audette had her best match of the season with eight kills and 13 digs. Junior
Emma Norman came off the bench to provide a spark with six kills and three digs, and
Julia Griffiths added five terminations and three total blocks (one solo).
Sophomore setter
Rianna Liu registered another double-double with 24 assists and 17 digs, while
Ella Norris added 13 assists as well. Tufts finished the match with a .096 hitting clip (46-32-146), edging CNU in the dig category 56-52.
The Captains got a match-high 13 kills from Megan James along with 13 digs, while Alyssa Dozier also added 10 terminations. Alyssa Vitale recorded 41 assists and eight digs, and Noelle Starr had 15 digs in the win.
Tufts will be back in action Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m., taking on Whittier College before finishing action this weekend against Calvin at 4 p.m.
--JUMBOS--
