MEDFORD, Mass. – The Brandeis University volleyball team pushed 23^rd-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 10^th 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.