Williams College Volleyball Falls to Tufts in NCAA Regional Championship 3-0
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The Jumbos hit the ground running at the start matches one and two, jumping to an 8-3 lead over the Ephs in both sets. Game one proved to be a tough one for the Ephs, who amassed only sixteen points in the set. Game two saw much better play from the team as they bounced back from the deficit. With a much- needed kill from junior Nicole Ballon-Landa, the Ephs brought the score up to a close 8-6. Although they ultimately fell short of a win, they managed to keep the Jumbos on their toes for the remainder of the match.
After an intense pep talk from head coach Christi Kelsey, the Ephs forged into game three with rejuvenated energy. Senior Whitney Hitchcock smashed one down for the Ephs to earn the first point of game three, followed by a quick kill from junior Eleanor Levine on a Jumbos overpass on point two. The Ephs seemed poised to take game three from Tufts and force a four game match.
Sophomore Aly McKinnon provided consistent service for Williams as they pushed to an early lead. The teams battled each other from point to point, leveling out at 2-2, 3-3, 13-13, 14-14, and 16-16. Neither team was ready to accept defeat without a fight.
Perhaps the most intense moment in game three came when the Ephs were down 23-19. After receiving an assist from junior setter Emily Avis, junior Kate Anderson (who totaled 13 kills in the match) fired down a cross-court kill to bring the score to 23-20. She killed the ball for two more consecutive points before the Tufts coach was compelled to call a timeout at 23-22. Anderson’s hot streak gave the Ephs the hope that they could stay in competition. However, the Jumbos would not let the match carry on to four games, outplaying the Ephs to a 25-23 victory.
Tonight’s loss is merely a blemish in an otherwise successful season for the Ephs. “It’s been a wonderful season,” says head coach Christi Kelsey. “Tufts had a great match tonight. We were a little slow from the beginning today, but overall it has been a tremendous run for us.”
Coach also paid special tribute to seniors Hitchcock, Melissa Pun, Chelsea Kubal, and Andrea Scioscia, who will sadly bid the team farewell at the end of this year. “A big thank you goes out to our seniors who had a great four years at Williams. They will be missed.”
As for next season, the Ephs have much to look forward to. “We will take some time to reflect then map out a plan for next year but it’s been a wonderful season!”
