MEDFORD, MA (September 2, 2026) -- The Tufts University volleyball team comes into the 2026 season in a great spot, having regained its spot atop of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) after capturing its fourth conference crown last season in 2025. Furthermore, it returns five of the team's seven starters from a season ago following a year where it hosted an NCAA Regional and fell in four sets to No. 1 East Texas Baptist University in a thrilling regional championship match.
The Jumbos return a large senior class that has been on the floor a lot since their first season back in 2023, as many of the now seniors were tasked with coming in and playing right away as first-years. That experience has blossomed into a smart, mentally-strong and battle-tested team ready to go toe-to-toe with the best in the nation.
Tufts comes into the season ranked No. 13 in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll, and while the goals are lofty head coach
Cora Thompson commented that this year's team has figured out to take it one day at a time.
"We talk a lot about having trust in the process and a clear vision, reality working on that unity especially early in the season," said Thompson. "Despite losing only three or four players, you're getting in four new players which does change the dynamic so we're just focusing on making sure our culture is strong, that we're guiding the new players. The goals are high; we want to win championships...we're excited to play good teams. But nothing is guaranteed."
Last season in 2025, Tufts went a stellar 24-6 on the season while posting a 7-3 record in the competitive NESCAC. Everything seemed to peak at the right time for the Jumbos, as a win over Springfield College started an eight-game march through the NESCAC Tournament and into the NCAA Tournament before falling to the top-ranked Tigers. That loss has strengthened and motivated this group to push in the off-season to get back to the spot where making it to the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh is a serious goal.
"We're using that loss in the right way...but we know now that we spent too much time analyzing instead of just trusting and playing," said Thompson. "The change is in the mentality. This team doesn't want to waste any time; they don't want to wait to get to what they want. I'm excited to see how this team comes out of the gate, but we've shown the ability to win different ways."
The personnel to make that goal a reality is there, as the Jumbos return four All-NESCAC performers to the rotation along with AVCA Region 1 Player of the Year in junior
Maiwenn Kamdje. Three Jumbos in all picked up All-American accolades, including Kamdje and seniors
Rianna Liu and
Claire Castor, while now senior
Emma Heckman also was an All-NESCAC performer. That experienced and talented group, along with others eager to add to the cause, should put the Jumbos in a great spot to make waves as the season begins Saturday in Scranton.
"We've watched this team grow, they've matured in so many ways but it's their confidence where they just love to compete," said Thompson. "We're going to push them to do things we haven't done before, and I'm excited because I think they're ready for it."
Below is a look at the roster by position.
SETTERS
The setting group is very deep, talented, and experienced as three of the four were big contributors to the team's success in 2025. Senior
Rianna Liu had a breakout season for the Jumbos, earning All-American accolades after posting a strong 5.82 assists per set as a 6-2 setter. She added more offense to her game with the ability to dump out of the front row, while also finishing second on the team in saves with 35. Liu is also great defensively, as she averaged 2.77 digs per set as well.
Juniors
Ellery Clark and
Lola Tortorello have both logged tons of minutes in their careers, as they combined for 142 sets of action last season in 2025. Clark dished out 4.50 assists per set, a total of 396 for the season, while also recording 21 aces. Tortorello is also deadly with the serve, finishing with 0.43 aces per set which ranked second on the squad.
Joining the crew to replace departed
Ella Norris is first-year
Bryce Buchner. The Rancho Santa Fe, California native is the tallest setter on the squad, and has already shown in preseason great hands, IQ, decision making, and ball placement.
HITTERS
Terminating the ball was a big-time strength for the Jumbos in the 2025 season, as Tufts has deep and balanced attack led by three returning arms in
Maiwenn Kamdje,
Emma Heckman and
Claire Castor. The trio combined on over 800 kills last season, but what separated the Tufts' hitting unit was its efficiency, especially on the right side.
Kamdje and Heckman started 29 of the 30 matches on the right side for Tufts last season, while Kamdje exploded for 285 kills while hitting .270 on the season. Kamdje also added 66 blocks throughout the year. Heckman was right behind her with 270 terminations, hitting .232 while finishing second on the squad with 74 blocks. That tandem is one of the top right-side duos in the nation, and expect to see continued production from them. Sophomore
Destiny Francis is also a name to be on the lookout for, as the extremely athletic hitter has the highest jumping height on the team and will be looking to take a step forward in her second season with the Jumbos on the right side.
Castor was one of the best all-around volleyball players in the country last season, as she finished with 261 kills with 33 aces, 213 digs and 28 blocks. Her ball control and passing in the back allows her to be a true six-rotation play, adding offensive from the back row as well.
The Jumbos also return two other outside hitter options that have had lots of experience and have sparkled in big moments. Juniors
Keller Mobley and
Celina Savage bring different things to the table, but both are capable of stepping into big roles as juniors. Mobley had 93 kills last season, adding 11 aces, while Savage tallied 1.44 kills per set in her 18 sets of action. Savage is also a strong blocker and her athleticism and height at the net are key when she's on the floor.
Sophomore
Amanda Freehill also played some outside hitter when not working as a defensive specialist, and is another solid arm on the outside due to her jumping ability and IQ. First-years
Jocelyn Chang and
Sofia Finn will also look to carve out roles as they work into a talented outside hitter group.
In the middle, Tufts has to replace their lone starting player in standout
Julia Griffiths, but the Jumbos will look to players like
Akpevwe Akpoigbe,
Bridget Lonergan and
Hazel Nelson. Akpoigbe emerged at the end of the season as the second middle for the Jumbos, getting 13 starts while hitting .277 as a junior. Akpoigbe had three of her best games for the Jumbos in the postseason, tallying 13 kills against Wesleyan in the NESCAC semis and nine against Colby in the conference title game. She also has one of the best serves in the nation.
Lonergan had 105 kills for the Jumbos as a junior, and came up big in the NCAA Second Round with seven terminations on 12 swings against Kean. Lonergan was second on the team in hitting percentage as well. Now sophomore
Hazel Nelson flashed big potential for Tufts last season and recorded 24 kills for the Jumbos, adding nine blocks. Nelson is a great jumper and moves well in the middle, allowing her to cover both sides of the net on the block.
First-year
Tessa Fergusson has looked strong in the preseason as well, and will look for immediate time in the middle or as an opposite this season.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS / LIBEROS
The Jumbos swapped the libero jersey around in 2025 to multiple players, but returners
Becca DePencier Piñero,
Dylan Whisenant and
Amanda Freehill also played extensively defensively for Tufts. Last year's leader in digs
Matsa Shi has since left the program, but Freehill was fourth on the squad with 138 digs as a first-year. DePencier Pinero was fantastic in serve receive last season, passing at a strong 94.3 percent clip. She also added 120 digs and brought crucial leadership to the team's back row.
Whisenant played in 54 sets last season and tallied 51 digs, but has been a starter and contributed to big moments in the past. All three players will vie for important minutes for the Jumbos as libero or as a back row replacement this season.
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The Jumbos start the 2026 season Saturday, September 5 at the University of Scranton, taking on Berry College and the host Royals. Tufts then battles Ithaca College Sunday to finish the opening weekend of action.
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