MEDFORD, MA (October 24, 2025) -- The Tufts University volleyball team took the second set to tie the match at one apiece, but No. 16 MIT was too strong over the next two sets as the Jumbos fell 3-1 in the opening match of play at the New England Challenge at Springfield College.
Tufts fell with scores of 25-12, 21-25, 25-9 and 25-16.
The Jumbos got a team-high nine kills from junior
Claire Castor, who also added 10 digs and an assisted block in the loss. Junior Becca DePencier Pinero finished with 10 digs as well, while
Bridget Lonergan had six kills on just 12 swings. In all, 13 Jumbos had at least one kill in the loss Friday.
Sophomore
Lola Tortorello had a team-high four aces to go with seven assists, while
Ella Norris added seven helpers and an ace.
Tufts posted just 31 kills in the match, and hit a season-low .000 while committing 15 service errors and allowing 12 aces in the contest.
MIT got 11 kills from Ella Zhou to lead all hitters, adding 11 digs, and Ali Gibbs also posted eight kills while hitting .571 Friday night for the Engineers.
Tufts returns to action on Saturday afternoon for the second day of action in the New England Challenge, taking on host Springfield College at 11 a.m. before battling Babson College at 3 p.m. to finish the afternoon.
--JUMBOS--
