WATERVILLE, ME (October 17, 2025) -- The No. 23 Tufts University volleyball team won the opening set at No. 13 Colby College Friday evening, but the Jumbos couldn't hold the momentum in falling 3-1 to the host Mules in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play from the Margaret M. Crook Center.
Tufts took the first stanza 25-23, but fell 25-22, 25-16 and 25-22 in the final three sets.
Tufts (15–3, 6–2 NESCAC) delivered an impressive start, racing out to a 4–0 lead behind steady serving from senior setter
Lola Tortorello and strong defensive play at the net. The Jumbos maintained their composure even as Colby responded, ultimately closing the set on a 5–0 run capped by a Tortorello set to
Emma Heckman for the clinching kill. The 25–23 win set an early tone that Tufts could hang with the nationally ranked Mules on their home court.
The second set proved just as competitive. Tufts surged ahead 15–12 after a service ace from Castor and a well-placed kill by
Amanda Freehill, forcing a Colby timeout. The Jumbos' defense anchored by libero
Becca DePencier Piñero kept long rallies alive, and
Maiwenn Kamdje powered down six kills in the match to keep Tufts within striking distance. Despite the Mules edging out a 25–22 finish, the Jumbos' play demonstrated a level of control that reflected their growth and determination.
Colby's size and blocking presence made the third set a challenge, but Tufts showed its depth as several Jumbos off the bench contributed key points. Freshman
Ruby Flath and
Hazel Nelson combined for late kills to energize the team, while
Ella Norris added strong serving and steady setting in relief.
The fourth set was a mirror of the evening's intensity—trading points nearly the entire way. Tufts held leads at 14–12 and again at 19–18 before Colby used a late run to seal the match, but the Jumbos' fight was evident through the final rally.
Castor finished with 13 kills on 36 attempts, hitting .306 for the match while adding a team-best 14 digs. Heckman added nine kills and four assisted blocks, while Kamdje recorded six kills in the loss.
Griffiths was solid with six terminations and four block assists, and senior
Emma Norman came off the bench to add four kills. Sophmore
Ellery Clark had 21 assists and four digs, while
Lola Tortorello had 13 assists and three digs. Norris also posted seven assists and four digs, while DePencier Pinero finished with eight digs as well.
Tufts finished with five of the matches' nine aces, while Colby was able to post a 56-48 edge in kills along with a 73-55 advantage in digs. Tufts hit .148 (48-25-155) for the match, as the host Mules connected at a .236 clip in the win.
Marjorie Johnson had a team-high 15 kills for Colby, while LJ Grant added 10 finishes. Brady Moseley also had 17 digs to lead all players.
Tufts will take on Bowdoin College Saturday at noon in NESCAC play before battling Maine Maritime Academy at 2:30 PM immediately following that tilt in Brunswick.
--JUMBOS_-
