MIDDLEBURY, VT (October 3, 2026) -- Tufts University head coach Cora Thompson recorded her 500th career win Saturday afternoon, as Tufts University volleyball team posted its sixth straight three-set win on Saturday at Middlebury College. Tufts cruised past the host Panthers 25-19, 25-23 and 25-16 in New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) play from Pepin Gymnasium. 

It was a monumental win for the 23rd year head coach, as Thompson improved her record to 500-177, a win percentage of .739 for her illustrious career. 

The Jumbos (11-5, 3-1 NESCAC) have won their last 18 sets overall, and Tufts has been able to win in a variety of ways. Saturday's edge for the Jumbos was their ability to win at the service line, posting 11 service aces for the match while allowing just three to the Panthers (13-3, 3-2 NESCAC). 

Tufts also hit efficiently once again, posting a hitting percentage of .228 for the match, its sixth-straight match finishing with an attempt clip over .200. The passing from setters Rianna Liu and Ellery Clark has been strong lately, as Liu finished with 19 assists, four aces and nine digs Saturday. Clark added 16 helpers, two aces and eight digs.

The kills came from a slew of different players Saturday, but junior Maiwenn Kamdje led the Jumbos with nine kills on 23 attempts. She also had two assisted blocks and three digs. Senior Claire Castor was two kills short of a double-double with eight terminations and 13 digs, adding two aces. 

Senior Emma Heckman had eight kills and five digs, and first-year middle hitter Tessa Fergusson tallied seven kills on just 12 swings, adding three assisted blocks. Fellow middle Hazel Nelson had five kills and four rejections, and junior Celina Savage finished with four kills and three blocks. 

Senior Becca DePencier Piñero and junior Dylan Whisenant were stellar defensively, as the pair combined for no receiving errors and 14 total digs. Whisenant had eight total digs and three aces, while DePencier Pinero had six digs and three assists. 

Tufts finished the match with 43 kills, adding an assist on all 43 terminations Saturday. Tufts also held an 60-51 edge in digs. 

Natalie Stanford had nine kills for Middlebury, while Molly Harrison added eight kills as well. 

Tufts is off until Friday evening, October 9, at 7 p.m. as it hosts Trinity College in NESCAC action for Athlete Ally night inside Cousens Gymnasium.