Waterville, ME - In a thrilling NESCAC matchup Friday night on Mayflower Hill, the Colby Volleyball team put on a dominant performance, tallying 60 kills and achieving a .224 hitting percentage as they secured a resounding five-set victory against the visiting Jumbos with scores of 22-25, 29-27, 23-25, 25-19 and 15-4. The intense back-and-forth battle between the two teams kept everyone on the edge of their seats, with the Mules securing the victory in the end and defeating Tufts for the first time since 2005. Volleyball's NESCAC record now stands at 4-2, with an overall record of 9-5, while Tufts University's conference record falls to 1-4, with an overall record of 6-7. 

In the opening set, both teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with a total of five tie scores and several lead changes. The Mules managed to extend their lead to 12-10 in the first frame due to a five-point run, prompting the Jumbos to call a timeout. Colby maintained their lead until 16-13, at which point the momentum shifted in favor of the Jumbos. They managed to equalize and take the lead at 20-17, prompting the Mules to call a timeout. This strategic move helped Colby regain a three-point advantage. However, it was Tufts who ultimately secured the first set with a final score of 20-25. The second set saw Tufts in control with an 11-5 lead, but the Mules fought back, equalizing at 24-24 leading to additional points. Despite the extended battle, Colby persevered and secured the victory in this set. In the third set, the Mules took an early lead at 19-14 before the Jumbos mounted a comeback and executed a strong run to ultimately win the set with a score of 25-23. However, that was the last taste of victory Tufts experienced in the match, as Colby entered the fourth set and secured a 25-19 victory with no room for the Jumbos to catch up. This dominant performance carried into the decisive fifth set, where the Mules maintained their momentum, ultimately winning 15-4 and sweeping the Tufts.

In the stats, first-year standout Brady Moseley shined, notching season highs with an impressive 20 kills and a substantial contribution of 21.5 points. Emma Davis followed closely with 10 kills in the victory. Additional offensive firepower came from Marjorie Johnson with seven kills and Hannah Wyllie with five kills, while Sydney Bopp chipped in with five kills and three crucial blocks. On the assist front, first-year talent Gabby Grujic excelled, tallying an impressive 26 assists and 14 digs, both season highs. Allison Rodriguez played a crucial role with 17 assists and 17 digs, forming a strong partnership with Reanna Yadao, who recorded an impressive 22 digs, all contributing to the team's overall success.

Up next, the Mules will face off against the University of Southern Maine and Smith College on Saturday at 2:00 pm, aiming to continue their winning streak and deliver strong performances on their home court.