Williamstown, Mass. - The Colby Volleyball team traveled down to Massachusetts this Friday to face Williams in an intense NESCAC matchup as the season approaches the Championship. Unfortunately, the Mules (16-7, 6-3 NESCAC) faced a tough loss against the Ephs (13-8, 4-5 NESCAC), falling in a 3-0 defeat. Despite their best efforts, Williams put up a strong performance and Colby couldn't secure the victory in this matchup.
In the first set, Williams attempted an early lead and established a 10-4 advantage. However, Colby mounted an impressive comeback, winning five of the next seven points to narrow the deficit. The Ephs, undeterred, rebuilt their lead to 18-10 and pushed forward. Despite the Mules' resilience and their saving of three set points, the set concluded 25-19 in favor of Williams. Moving to the second set, Colby came back stronger and took control in the early stages, maintaining a slight lead over the Ephs. Nonetheless, Williams fought back, securing consecutive kills to level the score at 12-12. The lead swtiched frequently between the two teams, reaching a pivotal moment with the score tied at 20-20. The set was extended, with both teams having opportunities for set points, however it was the Ephs who emerged victorious ultimately, clinching the set 28-26. In the third set, Williams dominated early, forcing Colby to use their timeouts quickly after falling behind 9-3 and 14-7. Despite the Ephs expanding their lead to 18-10, Colby demonstrated resilience with a rapid four-point rally, prompting a timeout by the Ephs. Williams regrouped and closed the set with a 25-17 victory after a decisive kill.
Despite the fall, Colby's performance showcased several standout players. First-year
Brady Moseley led the team with nine kills, 2.0 blocks, and three aces, displaying her offensive prowess and defensive capabilities. Moseley was not only a standout attacker but also a strong presence on the defensive end with 16 digs. In the offensive line,
Sarah Friedrichs and
Marjorie Johnson were also instrumental in driving the team's attack, each contributing with eight and seven kills, respectively.
Jordan Lee exhibited her precision and playmaking abilities with 14 assists, effectively orchestrating the team's offense. On her end,
Allison Rodriguez contributed 13 assists to facilitate the team's scoring efforts. Defensively,
Reanna Yadao gathered 11 digs, further fortifying the team's defensive efforts, and Rodriguez added seven digs, rounding out the team's robust defensive performance.
Tomorrow marks the culmination of Colby's regular season as they prepare to face the #8 NESCAC ranked Amherst in another highly anticipated conference matchup. This clash promises to be an exhilarating, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The game is set to kick off at 2:00 pm in Amherst, Massachusetts, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown as Colby looks to make their mark in this pivotal contest.
