Jumbos eliminated in NESCAC Quaterfinal

The volleyball team was eliminated from the NESCAC Championships on Friday night after a 2-3 quarterfinal loss to Amherst. Williams eventually earned the title Saturday afternoon.

Since this was a battle between the fourth and fifth seeded teams, there was no clear favorite going into the quarterfinal bout. Amherst had defeated Tufts earlier in the season, though in that game the Jumbos hurt themselves more than Amherst did. On Friday, Amherst won its decision in a hard-fought game that contained as much excitement as was promised.

"The match was fast-paced and we really gelled on the court," freshman outside hitter Kelli Harrison said. "Everyone was pumped up. It was probably the most fun volleyball match I have ever played in."

After a tremendous start by Tufts, blowing through the first two games and quickly jumping to a ten point lead in the third, few would have predicted Friday night's outcome. But Amherst was not going to be denied a spot in Saturday's semi-final, rallying in the third game and taking the last two games to end the Jumbos season.

"Amherst saw how well we were playing and they seemed to get a sense of urgency," sophomore middle hitter Courtney Evans said. "At the same time they picked up their game, we got too comfortable with ours."

The squad knew that the winner of the match would be the team that brought the most intensity to the court. Tufts was that team through the first half. Taking Amherst by surprise, the Jumbos quickly took the first game 30-25. Not giving the Jeffs an opportunity to catch their breath, Tufts took the second game in similar fashion with a score of 30-21.

"We were all moving together," Evans said. "There were six players on the court, but we were playing like one."

With all of the momentum, Tufts rolled into the third game seemingly the safe bet to take the match. It is difficult to rally in a volleyball match after going down in the first two games. Tufts at one point in the third match held a ten point lead and had two match-point opportunities to put the Jeffs away.

But at that moment, the Jeffs found the spark that had eluded them the first half of the third game. Amherst regained the momentum in extra points, 32-30.

"We let our guard down a little and we let Amherst into the game," Harrison said. "We shouldn't have done that."

Stealing the third game and the momentum, Amherst was able to edge the Jumbos out of the playoffs, with 30-27 and 16-14 wins in the final two games.

"Our communication wasn't as good in the third game," Evans said. "I don't know exactly what happened. We all played hard. The match was really close and we played with so much heart. It just didn't happen for us."

Despite the loss, the Jumbos were happy with their level of play.

"It really was one of our best games this season," Harrison said. "Anyone that played would tell you that."

Amherst eventually lost to Williams (3-0) in Saturday's semifinal game. Bates defeated Colby (3-1) in the other semifinal bracket, and Saturday afternoon saw the Ephs and Bobcats battle it out in the final. The Ephs won the championship title with a decisive 3-0 victory.

Saturday did bring an award for one Jumbo, however. Harrison was announced as an honorable mention selection for the All-New England teams. Harrison shone in the outside hitter position, averaging 3.65 kills per game.

"It was a real honor," Harrison said. "I didn't expect it at all, so I was really excited."