MEDFORD, MA (November 13, 2025) -- The No. 20 Tufts University volleyball team looks to continue its solid play of late, as the 20-win Jumbos will head to Middletown, CT for the 2025 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) semifinals and finals at Wesleyan University. The No. 4 seeded Jumbos will take on top-seed Wesleyan University Friday night at 5 p.m., followed by the second semifinal of Colby College and Williams College.
Game Details
Tournament Schedule:
NESCAC Tournament Homepage
Friday, November 14, 2025
No. 4 seed Tufts University (20-5) at No. 1 seed Wesleyan University (20-2) - 5 p.m.
No. 3 seed Williams College (19-6) vs. No. 2 seed Colby College (22-2) - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Remaining Two Teams - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Middletown, Conn. –
Silloway Gymnasium -
Directions
Live Coverage:
LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
A Look At The Jumbos (20-5)
The Tufts volleyball team enters the NESCAC Tournament riding a wave of momentum after finishing the regular season with a 20–5 overall record and a 7–3 mark in conference play. The Jumbos demonstrated consistency across all areas of the court, blending a balanced offense with a dependable defense that kept them in control of most matches.
With a .217 team hitting percentage compared to a .152 mark by their opponents, Tufts maintained a steady advantage in efficiency, and their ability to execute both at home and on the road has been a defining strength throughout the year.
Tufts opened the fall with several early non-conference wins that established its rhythm, including sweeps over Roger Williams, Stevens, and WPI, along with a strong five-set victory at Salisbury. The team carried that early success into NESCAC play, picking up conference wins over Hamilton and Amherst on the road before returning home to take care of Bates and Middlebury. A mid-season five-set battle with Williams highlighted the team's competitive resilience, and despite a few narrow setbacks in October, the Jumbos continued to position themselves among the top teams in the league standings.
Offensively, Tufts showcased an impressive depth of scoring options that few opponents could match. The team totaled 1,218 kills on the season, averaging nearly 13 per set, with several attackers emerging as consistent finishers. Emma Heckman led the way with 242 kills and a .238 hitting percentage, while Maiwenn Kamdje followed closely with 227 kills and a team-best .278 efficiency. Claire Castor added 210 kills and was a reliable presence on the outside, rounding out a front line that gave Tufts three legitimate scoring threats in every rotation.
Tufts' offensive system was guided by steady and effective setting that allowed the attack to stay unpredictable and balanced. Rianna Liu directed the tempo of play with 334 assists at 5.66 per set, and Ellery Clark added 324 assists at 4.56 per set to complement the distribution. Their combined work helped the Jumbos average 11.7 assists per set as a team, demonstrating how well the offense adapted to different matchups and in-game situations. The setting corps also contributed from the service line and in defense, showing the versatility that defines Tufts' overall style of play.
The Jumbos' serving pressure was a key part of their success throughout the season. The team registered 211 aces while averaging 2.2 per set, keeping opposing defenses off balance and creating transition opportunities. Matsa Shi led the team with 39 aces, while Liu and Amanda Freehill each added more than 25. The combination of aggressive serving and controlled reception was an important factor in Tufts' ability to sustain long scoring runs and close out tight sets.
Defensively, Tufts remained one of the most sound units in the NESCAC. The Jumbos collected 1,410 digs compared to 1,339 by their opponents, maintaining a slim but consistent edge in extended rallies. Shi anchored the back row with 257 digs, while Castor, Liu, and several others provided valuable secondary support. The ability to dig, transition, and turn defense into offense was a defining trait that helped the Jumbos remain composed in five-set matches, where they posted an impressive 6-1 record this fall.
At the net, Tufts' blocking presence gave them another layer of dominance. The team finished with 200 total blocks and averaged 2.1 per set, outpacing their opponents in both solo and assisted categories. Heckman and Kamdje were reliable anchors in the middle with a combined 111 total blocks, while Julia Griffiths added a major boost with 92 blocks of her own, averaging more than one per set. That presence at the net consistently frustrated opposing hitters and allowed Tufts to take control of key momentum points throughout the season.
Tufts closed the regular season in commanding fashion, defeating Springfield, Babson, Wesleyan, along with a NESCAC Quarterfinal win over Bowdoin in its final stretch to solidify a spot this weekend. The straight-set sweep of Bowdoin in the quarters served as a strong statement win, underscoring the team's readiness for postseason play.
A Look At Wesleyan, Colby and Williams
Wesleyan has put together one of the best regular seasons in the NESCAC, entering the tournament with a 20-2 overall record and a 9-1 mark in conference play. The Cardinals have combined elite offensive efficiency with standout defensive numbers, leading the league in hitting percentage at .271 while holding opponents to just .131. They have won nine straight road matches and boast a balanced mix of front-line power and back-row steadiness that makes them one of the most complete teams in the conference.
Offensively, Wesleyan has relied on multiple high-performing hitters who consistently finish at a high rate. Both Siena Steines and Sophia Lindus have averaged more than three kills per set, with Steines hitting an impressive .335 and Lindus leading the team with 230 total kills. Mila Chan and India Clark have provided complementary scoring options, while setter Ali Landa has orchestrated the attack with 495 assists at 6.6 per set. As a team, the Cardinals average over 13 kills per set and 11.7 assists, showing their efficiency and rhythm in transition and half-court offense alike.
Defensively, Wesleyan has been just as sharp, out-digging opponents 1,248-1,153 and out-blocking them by more than double, with 204.5 total blocks to 101.5. Their 2.7 blocks per set rank among the best in the NESCAC, led by contributions from Steines, Clark, and several others across the rotation. Libero Elliana Moreno has been the anchor in the back row with 326 digs, averaging 4.4 per set, while the team's strong serve receive has limited opponents to less than one ace per set.
Colby has turned in a big season with a 22-2 overall record and a 9-1 finish in NESCAC play, posting some of the most impressive team numbers in the league. The Mules have displayed remarkable consistency on both ends, hitting .221 as a team while holding opponents to just .117. They enter the tournament riding a five-match winning streak, including victories over Tufts, Bowdoin, and Amherst, and have gone undefeated at home with a 10–0 record.
The offense has been powered by a deep and balanced front line. Brady Moseley leads the way with 282 kills at 3.3 per set, while LJ Grant and Marjorie Johnson provide steady production in the middle with hitting percentages of .192 and .264, respectively. Setter Gabby Grujic has been one of the most productive in the conference with 494 assists at 5.7 per set, while Jordan Lee has added 247 assists to give the Mules a versatile two-setter look. Collectively, Colby averages nearly 13 kills per set with an efficient distribution that keeps defenses off balance.
The Mules' defense and serve game have been key components of their success. Colby ranks among the league leaders in digs per set at 16.4 and has totaled 191 team blocks, led by standout performances from Johnson, Grant, and Cyanne Jones. The serving unit has also been a strength, recording 197 aces while maintaining a solid 2.2 aces per set.
Williams enters the postseason after a strong campaign with a 19-6 overall record and a 7-3 mark in conference play. The Ephs' offensive numbers highlight a consistent attack: they have posted 1,109 kills on 2,989 attempts for a team hitting percentage of .205, while holding opponents to a .157 hitting percentage. Williams averages 11.8 kills per set compared to opponents' 10.5, suggesting that while the margin isn't massive, Williams has maintained the upper hand in transition and execution.
In the setting and serve-receive phases the Ephs show balance. They have accumulated 1,021 assists, translating to 10.9 assists per set, while limiting ball-handling errors to just one. On the serving side, Williams has tallied 186 aces and averages 2.0 aces per set, compared to opponents' 1.8 aces per set, showing a modest but useful edge in serving pressure. On reception the team has kept errors to 1.7 per set, better than opponents' 2.0 reception errors per set — an indicator of solid back-row discipline as the season has progressed.
Defensively, the Ephs are also doing their part. They have recorded 1,299 digs (13.8 per set) while holding opponents to 1,184 (12.6 per set). Their blocking numbers are essentially level with opponents (201.0 team blocks) but the fact that they are keeping pace rather than lagging is meaningful in such a competitive conference.
Keeley Campuzano leads the team with 244 kills this season, averaging 2.84 kills per set, while Chi Obi also has 244 terminations while hitting .234. Morgan Daetz and Lilly Carstens are the lead setters, while Eve Kaplan has been strong as the libero for the Ephs. Wililams has four players with 50 or mor blocks, led by Lilly Fox and her 68 rejections.
Notes to Know
- Williams leads all NESCAC programs with 11 titles in program history, while Tufts has three, Wesleyan two while Colby is in search of its first since 2005.
- No seed lower than No. 2 has won the NESCAC Tournament since 2008, when No. 4 seed Williams defeated No. 3 Amherst in the final.
- This season, when Rianna Liu is in the lineup, Tufts has lost just once and is 15-1 on the year when she plays.
- In the NPI rankings, Colby is currently No. 6 in the country, while Wesleyan ranks No.10, Tufts No. 13 and Williams No. 24.
- The NCAA Selection Show for Division III volleyball is Monday, November 17 at 1 p.m.
--JUMBOS--
