Comeback against Southwestern falls short in NCAA Division III quarterfinals
After dropping the first two sets to No. 7 Southwestern (Texas) in quarterfinal-round action of the NCAA Division III Tournament, the Tufts women’s volleyball team posted third- and fourth-set victories, 25-20 and 25-21, but Southwestern won the decisive fifth set, 15-13, en route to a 3-2 victory at the Kolf Sports Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Thursday night (Nov. 17).
The Jumbos, who advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history, saw their season come to an end, while Southwestern, which has appeared in the NCAA tourney in 11 of the last 12 seasons, moves on to the Final Four.
“First of all, a lot of credit to Southwestern. They played an incredible match, and it was a battle both ways, and best of luck to them going forward,” said Jumbos head coach Cora Thompson. “Obviously, it was not the outcome that we hoped for or we wanted, but I am incredibly proud of our team. To go down two sets at the beginning and battle back and force it to a fifth and be that close is heartbreaking, but at the same time very impressive for this young group.”
The Jumbos were led by senior captain Elizabeth Ahrens (10 kills, eight digs), freshman Brigid Bell (22 digs, 13 kills), junior captain Alexandra Grant (22 digs), freshman Heather Holz (nine kills), freshman Maddie Stewart (eight kills), sophomore Angela Yu (match-high 28 assists, 23 digs), sophomore Mackenzie Bright (10 kills), freshman Rachel Furash (13 assists) and freshman Kelly Klimo (match-high 34 digs). Read the full match recap here.
Trevor Wenners is an intern in the Tufts Sports Information Office.
