For the last two years, the Tufts volleyball team has posted impressive regular-season records and earned the right to host the NCAA New England Regional Championship. But while last year's team faltered in the postseason, the 2009 Jumbos will be heading to Ohio and the NCAA Elite Eight.
On Saturday night, the Jumbos made history, capturing the program's first New England Regional Championship in resounding three-set fashion over perennial rival Williams.
Last weekend in the NESCAC Tournament final, the Jumbos lost to the Ephs in three sets. On Saturday, however, with the right to represent New England in the Div. III national quarterfinals on the line, the Jumbos were able to flip the script, dominating by scores of 25-13, 25-16 and 25-23. Saturday's victory was Tufts' 31st of the season — a program best — and improved the Jumbos' record against Williams on the year to 4-1.
"Honestly it feels surreal right now. I couldn't be more proud of the effort from every single player on our team," coach Cora Thomson said. "Not only did they come out here knowing what theywanted to do and sticking to our strategy, but they went out there fearlessly, knew what they wanted and had an attack mentality from the get-go."
The sweep of Williams was the third 3-0 victory in as many days for the Jumbos, who on Thursday dispatched Maine Maritime College in straight sets and then on Friday knocked off the Wellesley Blue in three sets as well. In last year's tournament, the Jumbos fell to the Blue in five sets in the regional semifinal, but on Friday, Tufts never allowed more than 20 points in one set. NESCAC Player of the Year Dena Feiger, a senior co-captain, contributed 30 assists, while junior outside hitter and second team All-NESCAC honoree Dawson Joyce-Mendive led the team with 13 kills.
The Jumbos came into the final on Saturday well rested after the victory over Wellesley took only a cool hour and fifteen minutes. Williams, on the other hand, spent an hour and forty minutes on court in their semifinal against a tough UMass Boston squad that came into the match with the highest kill percentage of any team in the country. The Jumbos walked onto the court on Saturday motivated to cement their status as New England's elite, and they exhibited frenetic defensive energy, cutting off angles and shutting down the powerful Ephs attack.
"Our energy was the difference," said senior co-captain Brogie Helgeson, who tallied 13 kills in her final home game.
"Last weekend [in the NESCAC semifinal], the Amherst game that went to five sets was so exhausting. This weekend the tables were turned. Williams really struggled against UMass [Friday], and we had a quick match against Wellesley which saved our bodies. Energy-wise, we were the team on top."
The Jumbos tallied 66 digs on the night, with four players reaching double-digits in the category, compared to Williams' 55. The Jumbos' front-line defenders did a great job of getting their hands on the ball, racking up eight blocks and countless deflections that kept points alive.
The Tufts defense was able to contain first team All-NESCAC Williams junior Kate Anderson, who had a .340 hitting percentage in the matchup last week, to 13 kills on 44 attempts — a hitting percentage of .205.
"We've played them five times now, and when you watch the film and see the stats, it's pretty easy to read who it's going to," Helgeson said. "And as blockers, we became really familiar with that, and we knew who to block before they would set it."
This year was the second straight in which the Jumbos fell to the Ephs in the NESCAC Tournament. But while last season it was the Ephs advancing through the NCAA Regional, the Jumbos were able to reverse the trend and finally get the postseason victory over Williams that they had been working towards all season long.
"We really wanted to prove ourselves," said junior outside hitter Caitlin Updike, who contributed 13 kills along with 11 digs on Saturday. "They've taken things from us, and we wanted to take it back. The win was great regardless, but it was awesome that it was Williams."
With the victory, Tufts moves to 31-4 for the season and will head to University Heights, Ohio on Thursday to battle Hope College, the No. 6 team in the national Div. III coaches' poll, in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals. After a highly competitive season of playing within New England, the Jumbos will test their mettle against some of the nation's best teams.
"It's been an amazing season, but it's not over yet," Updike said. "We're so excited to go to Ohio and show everyone what New England volleyball is all about."
