Volleyball team slams at Coast Guard Invitational

The women's volleyball team rebounded from an opening loss at MIT to win the Coast Guard Invitational last weekend for the second straight year. The weekend gave first year coach Cora Thompson both her first win and first tournament title.

The Jumbos won three straight games on Saturday to retain the crown, defeating Eastern Connecticut, Coast Guard, and Rhode Island College in succession. Tufts dropped just one set during the entire tournament.

In the final game the Jumbos disposed of an overmatched Rhode Island College team in three games to once again be crowned champions.

"The key to our being successful is communication. We run an audible offense, so talking is very important," Thompson said. "When we communicate, everything comes together."

The entire team seemed to click, as it controlled the net offensively and notched a season high 31 kills. Evans had ten of her own, and junior Amy Cronin and sophomore Emily Macy each added eight. With setter Lindsey Moses resting after two straight games, sophomore Rebecca Shaevitz filled in to lead the Jumbos with 22 assists.

In the second game of the tournament, Tufts beat the Coast Guard in three straight sets, though it was a close match. The margin of victory for each set was five points or fewer.

"It was the kind of game we love to play," Moses said. "The Coast Guard squad is a great team with some big hitters and we knew our challenge in this game would be to remain disciplined on our defense and to do all the little things right. We came out of that win with a better idea of what we needed to work on."

Cronin again led the way with an impressive 14 kills. Macy also had a big game, contributing 12 kills of her own. They were both beneficiaries of great setting by Moses once more, who tallied 34 assists.

Defensively, it was a team effort. Five Jumbos recorded at least six digs, with junior Danielle Cafasso leading the team with ten. Cronin notched three blocks for the second consecutive game.

During the first game against Eastern Connecticut, the Jumbos and the Warriors traded sets before the Tufts squad displayed its dominance, winning the third set 30-14. They then closed out Eastern Connecticut in the fourth setting.

"It's great, I didn't even think about it at the time," Thompson said. "I was happier for the team getting its first win of the season. It was just afterwards when people came up and congratulated me that it hit me that that was my first win."

Cronin led the Jumbos with eleven kills, and the freshman combination of April Gerry and Courtney Evans also contributed with eight and seven kills respectively. Moses was the main table setter, dishing out 31 assists.

Defensively, the Tufts squad saw good production from senior Paulette Pacheco and Cafasso. The combo totaled 21 digs between them. In the front Cronin and Evans provided the blocking, each credited with three blocks for the match.

Adding to the beauty of the weekend killing, Cronin and Moses were honored by being named to the All-Tournament team.

Cronin was selected for the second straight year, as she led the Jumbos for the tournament with 33 kills, 8 solo blocks, and 6 block assists.

"It's an honor to be chosen, but I'm happier that the team did so well," Cronin said.

Moses' stellar play also ensured her place on the All-Tournament team as well. She led the team with 65 assists.

The victories at the invitational were especially important to the Jumbos after they began the season on a sour note with a loss against a talented MIT squad. MIT defeated the Jumbos in three straight sets in Cambridge, on Sept. 10.

"Even though we lost, we built on a lot of things," Cronin said.

One bright spot in the loss was the play of the younger members of the team. Macy, Gerry, and Evans all had solid games. Tufts will need them to step up this season and help the junior tandem of Cronin and Moses.

"They were a little timid at first, but they are really starting to be a force and they are always getting better," Cronin said of the younger players. "We need them to play well to be successful."

Although the win against Eastern Connecticut was Thompson's first, she is no stranger to Jumbo volleyball. Thompson has actually been a part of the team in various positions for seven years. Thompson played four year and then graduated to the assistant coach position. After former Coach Kris Talon stepped down last year, Thompson became the successor. She has high goals for this season, confidant that if this team plays to its potential.

"We can be in the top four (in New England)," Thompson said. "I think we can win it."

Next the team will travel up to Connecticut College to participate in the very competitive NESCAC weekend