Waltham, Mass.--Brandeis University women's volleyball split this afternoon on the final day of the Judges Classic. The women were able to defeat Clarson University, 3-1, but fell to Tufts University 3-0.

Brandeis (14-16) played a difficult match against the Tufts University(18-9), eventually falling to the Jumbos 3-0, (13-25, 19-25, 8-25).  Senior setter Abby Blasco (Greeley, CO/Frontier Acad.) notched seven points, with 6 kills and no errors, while her twin sister, outside hitter Paige earned 8.5 points.

The Judges played a stunning game against the Clarkson University Golden Knights (24-8), defeating them 3-1 (25-15, 26-24, 21-25, 25-22).  In the second set the Judges came back from at least six points down to win the set.  Senior middle blocker Nicole Smith (Marietta, GA/Alan C. Pope) recorded four solo blocks, three block assists, two aces, and 13 kills for 21.5 points in the match.  Paige Blasco led the team in kills with 16, for 18.5 points in the match.  Sophomore Susan Sun (Acton, MA/Acton-Boxborough) posted three aces and 18 digs.

The all-tournament team honors went to Shannon Thompson (Moorpark, Calif./ Moorpark) from UMass Boston, Sara Artus (St. Regis Falls, N.Y./ St. Regis Falls) from Clarkson, Audrey Kuan (Los Altos, Calif./ Castilleja) from Tufts and Nicole Smith from Brandeis. Kendall Lord (La Jolla, Calif./Adlai Stevenson) from Tufts was named the tournament MVP.

Tufts plays Connecticut College on Nov. 5 at the New England Small College Athletic Conference quarterfinals at Amherst.

Clarkson plays next at the Liberty League Championships in Canton, N.Y.

The Judges next match will be at the University Athletic Association Volleyball Championships next weekend, Nov. 5 and 6, hosted by Case Western Reserve University.