Medford, MA --- WPI's Bridget Spees (Saint Johns, FL) amassed seven kills and Olivia Hutchinson (Erie, PA) added five as the Crimson and Gray were swept by host Tufts, 3-0, in a non-conference volleyball match played inside Cousens Gym on Thursday evening.
The Jumbos (6-5) posted victories of 25-12, 25-15 and 25-22 as the Engineers dropped to 6-6 on the season.
Spees led the WPI with seven kills while adding nine digs and a block assist. Hutchinson finished with five kills and a team-high eight blocks, including one solo and seven assists.
Amelia Lynch (Charlottesville, VA) contributed two kills, 17 assists, seven digs and three block assists, while
Kylie Welcher (Los Angeles, CA) and
Anastasia Kelnik (Fair Lawn, NJ) each added two kills.
Jennah DiMartino (Mission Viejo, CA) chipped in five digs and two assists.
Tufts was paced by
Claire Castor (Carmel, IN), who registered 12 kills and eight digs.
Maiwenn Kamdje (Wellesley, MA),
Hazel Nelson (San Francisco, CA),
Tessa Fergusson (Washington, DC) and
Emma Heckman (San Diego, CA) each added seven kills. Fergusson also collected five total blocks, while
Rianna Liu (Foster City, CA) handed out 27 assists and added seven digs.
Ellery Clark (Minnetrista, MN) contributed 16 assists.
The Jumbos used a strong offensive showing to take control of the opening set, hitting .294 with 14 kills. WPI countered with six kills in the frame, including points from Spees,
Niki Szavuly (Woodinville, WA), Hutchinson and Kelnik, but Tufts closed out the opening set, 25-12.
Tufts continued to maintain control in the second set, finishing with 16 kills while limiting the Engineers to four. WPI did produce several strong defensive sequences, including blocks involving Hutchinson and Szavuly, while Welcher, Spees, Hutchinson and Lynch each registered kills. The Jumbos ultimately secured the second set, 25-15, to take a 2-0 lead.
The third set featured WPI's best offensive performance of the night as the Engineers recorded 11 kills and hit .152. Spees and Hutchinson provided key offensive contributions, while Lynch added a kill and three block assists. WPI continued to battle throughout the frame and finished with 22 points, but Tufts held on for a 25-22 victory to complete the sweep.
The Crimson and Gray return home Saturday to host Springfield at 1pm in the annual
Greg Poole Match as part of Homecoming and Family Weekend. Tufts heads to Bates on Friday for a 6pm NESCAC matchup.
