WALTHAM, Mass. – The Brandeis University volleyball team suffered its first home loss in 17 matches tonight as the Judges dropped a tight 3-1 decision to visiting Tufts University in Auerbach Arena. Brandeis had not lost at home since dropping the final match of the 2005 season when they hosted the University Athletic Association (UAA) championships.

Tufts (9-11) took a 2-0 lead by winning the first two games, 30-25, 30-27. Brandeis (15-5) avoided the sweep with a 31-29 win in game three. Game four was a back-and-forth affair that the Judges led 26-25, but the Jumbos won the last five points to close out the match, 30-25.

Two players tied for match-highs with 21 kills, Brandeis junior outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach (Buffalo, N.Y.) and Tufts rookie OH Dawson Joyce-Mendive. Brandeis sophomore middle blocker Piera Carfagno (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Tufts junior Stacey Filocco (Olney, Md.) each had 15 kills each.

Defensively, Brandeis junior libero Violette Ruggiero (Paradise Valley, Ariz.) had a match-high 23 digs, while rookie setter Abby Blasco (Greeley, Colo.) added 21. Tufts was paced by junior libero Natalie Goldstein (Piedmont, Calif.) with 18 digs, sophomore setter Dena Feiger (Long Grove, Ill.) with 17 and Filocco with 16. Tufts senior Katie Wysham (Spokane, Wash.) led all players with seven blocks (four solo).

Brandeis is next in action on Saturday and Sunday when they travel to Cleveland for the second UAA round robin of the season at Case Western Reserve University, while Tufts takes on NESCAC foes Trinity on Friday and Wesleyan on Saturday.