MEDFORD, MA (October 10, 2025) -- The Tufts University volleyball team, ranked No. 25 in the recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, honored its three seniors for Senior Day with a 3-0 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) victory over Trinity College inside Cousens Gymnasium Friday evening.

The hosts won with a 25-20, 25-21 and 29-27 scoreline.  

The Jumbos (13-2, 5-1 NESCAC) relied on a strong service advantage on Friday evening, posting 11 aces, while also tallying 44 kills in the three-setter to post the win. Sophomore Maiwenn Kamdje was electric on the evening, as she opened the night with a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and then ripped down 13 kills on just 17 attempts with no errors for a hitting clip of .765. She also tallied two digs in the win. Kamdje was one of three Jumbos in doubles-digits for kills, as junior Emma Heckman had 11 terminations and three blocks, while Claire Castor added 10 kills and a team-high 13 digs for her fourth double-double of the season and second straight. 

Tufts built early momentum behind a balanced attack featuring Castor and Kamdje. The Jumbos turned an 11–9 edge into a 19–14 advantage thanks to a flurry of kills and back-to-back aces from Ella Norris. After Trinity pulled within three, Amanda Freehill's service run helped seal the opener, capped by an Emma Heckman kill that closed out the 25–20 win. The Jumbos hit .119 in the frame and limited Trinity (10-6, 1-4 NESCAC) to just .083.

The second set saw Tufts find its rhythm offensively, hitting .333 while spreading the offense around. Heckman was a focal point with five kills in the frame, while Kamdje and Castor added four apiece.

After several early ties, Tufts pulled away with a 5–0 run midway through the set, sparked by solid serving from Akpevwe Akpoigbe and steady setting from Norris. The Jumbos closed the set on a Norris-to-Heckman connection to take a 2–0 lead.

Trinity battled to extend the match, pushing Tufts deep into extra points in the third. The Jumbos relied on clutch performances from Kamdje and Castor, who combined for 10 kills in the final set. A late service ace from Castor and a finishing ace from Norris punctuated the tight 29–27 victory, clinching the sweep before an energetic home crowd.

Norris finished with a strong effort setting on her Senior Day, as she posted 20 assists, three aces and four digs, while Ellery Clark came off the bench to tally 20 assists and one ace. Sophomore Matsa Shi finished with 12 digs and four assists, and junior Becca DePencier Piñero was fantastic in serve receive with a perfect 20-for-20 reception rate. DePencier Piñero also added five digs in the win. 

Freehill finished tied for the team lead with three aces, adding seven digs and a kill as she rotated into the front row in the final set, and Julia Griffiths added three kills and a block. 

Tufts held a 44-39 kill edge for the match, along with tallying just 16 errors on the evening. The match featured 32 tie scores and 19 lead changes. 

Trinity was paced by the 11 kills from Ellie Gordon, and Scarlett Jago had a match-best 16 digs. 

The Jumbos will finish the busy weekend for Homecoming 2025 on Saturday afternoon, hosting Connecticut College at 2 p.m. for Dig Pink Day as well. 

--JUMBOS--