WALTHAM, Mass. — The Brandeis University volleyball team defeated local rival Lasell College, 3-0, in just over an hour tonight in Red Auerbach Arena. Set scores were 25-18, 25-13, 25-13. The Judges improve their record to 6-20 as they snap a 13-match losing streak. The Lasers fall to 6-26.
Brandeis never trailed in the first two sets, jumping out to leads of 9-2 and 10-0. Lasell took an early 5-2 lead in the third set, but rookie outside hitter Jessie Moore served eight points in a row to put the Judges ahead for good. Sophomore Jessica Kaufman (Tucson, Ariz./Cienaga) and senior Shemira Pennyman (Meridan, Conn./Francis T. Maloney) each had two kills in the decisive run.
For the match, the Judges had a balanced offensive attack. Junior middle blocker/right side hitter Summer Koop (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) had seven kills, while three players added six each: Pennyman, Moore and junior middle blocker Maddie Engeler (Sandusky, Ohio/St Mary Central Catholic). Engeler led the team with a .750 hitting percentage (6 K-0 E-8 TA), while Moore hit .357 (6 K-1 E-14 TA). Engeler also had three blocks (two solo), while Koop had a pair (one solo). Senior libero Elsie Bernaiche (Plantsville, Conn./Southington) had a match-high 12 digs, while rookie setter Julie Kim (Fullerton, Calif./Troy) had 23 assists and four service aces.
As a team, the Judges hit a season-high .272 (32 kills-10 errors-81 total attacks. Their 10 attack errors were also a season-low.
Lasell received six kills from rookie Meredith Eagan (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) and five each from senior Kathy Cameron (Boston, Mass./Boston Latin) and rookie Odina Ellis (Providence, R.I./Classical). Rookie setter Taylor Tiezzi (Meridan, Conn./Platt) had 13 assists, while sophomore libero Cassandra Stout (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South) contributed seven digs.
Brandeis is back in action on Saturday with a tri-match against Babson at noon and Eastern Connecticut State at 4 p.m. They will honor their four seniors before their final home contest against ECSU.