WORCSTER -- The WPI volleyball team was turned back in straight sets by visiting Tufts in non-conference action on Wednesday evening inside the WPI Sports & Recreation Center by scores of 25-19, 25-21, 25-12.
With the result, the Engineers dipped to 5-3 as Tufts improve to 4-1 on the season.
WPI jumped out quickly, with first-year Olivia Hutchinson (Erie, PA) and junior Zeala VanDamme (San Diego, CA) sparking the attack to keep the Engineers within a point midway through the frame. The Jumbos used a 6-1 run late, fueled by a pair of blocks and a kill from senior Julia Griffiths (Lexington, MA), to pull away and take the opener, 25-19.
The Crimson and Gray answered back in the second, as kills from Hutchinson and sophomore Bridget Spees (Saint Johns, FL) coupled with digs from Alana Harris (Lowell, MA) kept the Engineers even at 16-16. Tufts edged in front behind consecutive kills from sophomore Maiwenn Kamdje (Wellesley, MA) and junior Emma Heckman (San Diego, CA), then closed out the set with a 5-2 spurt en route to the 25-21 set victory.
Tufts controlled the final set from the outset, using four early blocks and back-to-back aces to build an insurmountable lead. Harris and first-year Lauren Boycourt (San Diego, CA) helped keep rallies alive for the Engineers, but Tufts' transition play and depth sealed the sweep with a 25-12 score.
Hutchinson led the Engineers with seven kills to go with two blocks and an ace. VanDamme chipped in five kills and a team-high four blocks, while Spees finished with four kills, seven digs, and two blocks. Harris anchored the back row with a match-high 14 digs, and Boycourt and sophomore Preslie Jerebker (Denver, CO) combined for 19 assists to pace the Crimson and Gray offense.
Kamdje led Tufts with eight kills, followed by Heckman and Griffiths with seven apiece. Junior setter Rianna Liu (Foster City, CA) handed out 19 assists and sophomore Ellery Clark (Minnetrista, MN) added 18, while sophomore libero Matsa Shi (La Jolla, CA) notched 15 digs. Griffiths and Bridget Lonergan (Manahawkin, NJ) combined for 10 blocks at the net.
WPI returns to action on Saturday with a tri-match at Western New England. The Engineers take on the host Golden Bears at 11am before squaring off with Keene State at 1pm. Tufts will venture to Hoboken, New Jersey, for a tri-match as the Jumbos will square off with the host Stevens at 11:30am before facing Drew at 2pm.
