Posted: Oct 26, 2022
MEDFORD, Mass. – The Brandeis University volleyball team pushed 23rd-ranked Tufts University to extra points in two of four sets tonight, including a 29-27 win in the first set, but the host Jumbos emerged with a 3-1 win tonight. Set scores were 27-29, 25-14, 28-26, 25-16.
TEAM RECORDS
- Brandeis, 10-13.
- Tufts, 16-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The teams played an epic first set, featuring 15 ties and 11 lead changes. The Jumbos were ahead, 23-20, when Brandeis won the next three points to even things up at 23-all.
- Tufts won the next point, but the Judges fought off the first of three set points on a kill by sophomore Lara Verstovsek (Houston, Texas/Episcopal). A Tufts error gave Brandeis its first set point, but the Jumbos called timeout and reclaimed the lead.
- The hosts were ahead, 27-26, but Brandeis won the last three points of the set on a kill by Verstovsek, a Tufts error, and a set-clinching point from senior Emerson White (Lexington, Ky./Sayre) that made it 29-27.
- Verstovsek was outstanding in the first set, reaching double-digit kills with 11.
- In the second set, Tufts never trailed, jumping out to a 4-1 lead. They led by as many as nine points at 20-11 and hung on for the 25-14 win to even things at a set apiece.
- The third set was another close one. Brandeis overcame a 10-5 deficit, going on an 8-3 run to tie things up at 13-all on a kill by junior Ella Pereira (Redondo Beach, Calif./Rolling Hills Prep).
- Brandeis kept within striking distance the rest of the way, but could not get over the hump. The Judges fended off three set points before Tufts took it, 28-26.
- The fourth set was close throughout the early going, with Brandeis taking a 9-6 lead on a Verstovsek service ace.
- Tufts answered with a 13-3 run, forcing Brandeis to use both timeouts, and the Jumbos hung on for the 25-16 win in the set and a 3-1 overall victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Verstovsek led the way for the Judges with a match-high 23 kills. It was her second match of the season and her career with more than 20 kills.
- She also had 15 digs, third most on the squad, to post her sixth double-double of the season.
- Graduate student Sydney Bent (Raleigh, N.C./Ransom Everglades, Fla.) also registered a double-double with 12 kills and a team-high 28 digs, one short of match-high honors. It was her ninth double-double of the season.
- Junior Ines Grom-Mansencal (Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming) led the team with 37 assists and added 11 digs, her 10th double-double.
- Sophomore Arianna Jackson (Lewis Center, Ohio / Oletangy Orange) led the net defense with four blocks (one solo).
UP NEXT
- The Judges will celebrate their Senior Day on Thursday evening against Wellesley at 6 p.m.
- Tufts is at Connecticut College on Friday evening at 6 p.m.