After successful weeks for both the field hockey and volleyball teams against NESCAC opponents, it only seems appropriate that a player from each team be recognized for her accomplishments on the field.
Senior co-captains Marilyn Duff-Cabana from the field hockey team, and Kelli Harrison from the volleyball team both received the honors after propelling their teams into respectable positions in the league heading into the playoffs.
After dropping two straight games - against Bowdoin on Oct. 7 and Trinity on Oct. 14 - the field hockey team needed a strong showing last week against Wesleyan and Williams. With the help of Duffy-Cabana, they got just that.
The backbone of her team during both victories, the senior goalkeeper surrendered just one goal to Wesleyan and notched her fourth shut-out of the season (the 10th of her career) the following game against the No. 4 team in the country. In 140 minutes of play, Duffy-Cabana recorded a .917 save percentage versus a .50 goals against average. Duffy-Cabana has been unflappable this season, guarding the cage for all 870 minutes of the season and posting a 1.13 goals against average.
With the two wins last week, the Jumbos earned themselves a shot at home-field advantage for the NESCAC tournament, which begins on Oct. 29. They have one in-conference game left, against Conn. College on Oct. 28, and will need Duffy-Cabana to be on top of her game if they want to head into the playoffs on a high note.
Volleyball's outside hitter, Kelli Harrison, helped her team surpass the 20-win plateau over the weekend. The team compiled a 4-1 record on the week, beating Conn. College, Bridgewater State, Springfield and, most notably, Williams. The Jumbos advanced to the championship round of the Hall of Fame Tournament on Saturday, but despite the admirable play of Harrison, fell to MIT for the third time out of their four meetings this season.
Harrison led the squad with 4.39 kills per game, adding 3.72 digs per game, six blocks, four assists and three service aces on the week. Her play earned her an All-Tournament selection and launched Tufts into a tie for second place with Amherst in the division, with both teams amassing a 5-2 record in NESCAC competition.
Harrison's team will certainly depend on her this week, as it will round-out the regular season with three games against, Bowdoin, Hamilton and Williams.
- by Rachel Dolin
