The volleyball team got its first victory of the season Tuesday night, and the timing could not have been any better. With two NESCAC games on the schedule this weekend, a win in the books gives the Jumbos some confidence after stumbling in their first few contests.
After a long weekend in California sent the Jumbos back East empty-handed, the team was happy to be back in Cousens Gym. The Endicott Gulls were well into their season and had a 6-2 record after having competed in the Gordon Invitational and Endicott Invitational. The Jumbos, meanwhile, were 0-4 after facing some high-powered West Coast teams, including the American Volleyball Coaches' Assocation (AVCA) No. 6 and No. 24.
The matchup was a back-and-forth battle early, with each team finding some success. The Jumbos jumped to the front in the first game, winning by a score of 30-20. This was the first game Tufts had won on the season, as they were swept in each of the four prior matches.
The Jumbos' momentum went nowhere, though, as the Gulls one-upped them with a 30-18 win in the second. The two teams traded games three and four; Tufts won 30-17 and Endicott took the closets game of the match, 30-28, to set up a fifth and final game. Tufts dominated the final game, winning 15-7.
The Jumbos were led by freshman Caitlin Updike's 15 kills and senior captain Katie Wysham's nine kills and a team-leading five blocks. The team also added 14 aces on the day, five courtesy of junior Kaitlin O'Reilly. Junior Natalie Goldstein had 20 digs to lead the Jumbo defense.
"It is great to see us taking what we learned in California and using it," assistant coach Marritt Cafarchia wrote in an e-mail to the Daily. "We still have a lot of work to do, but the girls are excited to work hard and improve on our weaknesses."
Junior Brittany Nolan's 17 kills and senior Meghan Hall's 35 assists led Endicott, who fell to 6-3 on the season. The Jumbos' first win brings their record to 1-4, with Williams and Hamilton visiting Cousens Gym today and tomorrow respectively.
"The win yesterday was very important; every win is important," Wysham said. "We are dedicated and have a goal of being able to win all our games in New England, so we set the bar there. It wasn't the prettiest game in the world, but it was a win."
Williams is one of the top teams in the NESCAC, led by 2006 Coach of the Year Fran Vandermeer. Last year was actually somewhat of a disappointment for the Ephs, as they went undefeated in the conference in the regular season before losing in the NESCAC championship game to Amherst.
It looks like more of the same for the Ephs so far, who sit at 4-0. Williams won its first conference game of the season, sweeping Hamilton, the other guest at Cousens Gym this weekend, this past Tuesday. Sophomore Melissa Pun, last year's NESCAC Rookie of the Year and an honorable mention All-American, leads the team.
"Of course we are looking to take a win from these games," Cafarchia said. "We have a heated rivalry with Williams, and with NESCAC games on the line the tension will be high. But as always we are looking to get better every time we step on the court."
Hamilton will visit on Saturday looking for its first win of the season. The Continentals struggled last season, posting only nine wins, though they were the program's largest win total since 2001. Junior trio Julia Penrose, Kristen Selden and Amber O'Connor provide experience along with talent for a young team.
The Jumbos see themselves turning the corner after a rough start to the season. They hope their success will continue this weekend as they have gotten into the swing of things.
"We just need to have more time playing together as a team," Wysham said.
