Teams: Volleyball: Press Releases

Date: Monday, September 10, 2001
Written by Michael Douglas

JUMBOS VOLLEYBALL MAKES BIG SPLASH AT COAST GUARD

MEDFORD -- The Tufts University Volleyball team won the Coast Guard Invitational in New London, Conn., on Saturday (Sept. 8). Senior tri-captain Jessica Stewart (Tallahassee, FL/Leon) and sophomore Amy Cronin (Kirkland, WA/Interlake) were named to the All-Tournament Team following their outstanding contributions to Tufts' championship run.

In the tournament opener, coach Kris Talon's squad swept Westfield State in straight games, 30-9, 30-22, 30-11. Stewart led the offensive attack with 15 kills. Cronin led the squad with seven service aces, which was the icing on top of her .958 serve percentage. On the defensive side, freshmen Emily Macy (Henderson, NV/Green Valley) and Ali Sauer (Larchmont, NY/Mamaroneck) totaled a team-leading 12 digs each.

Tufts' next opponents were the hometown squad, Coast Guard. After falling behind two games to one, the Jumbos found themselves a single loss away from elimination. The Tufts women fought back and, in what would prove to be the most exciting match of the tournement, won the final two games, 30-28, 19-17. The Jumbos received a strong performance against Coast Guard from Macy, who led the team in kills (24), digs (18), and blocks (5 solo, 1 ass't).

Tufts then met Rhode Island College. After losing the opener, 23-30, the Jumbos roared back to sweep the final three games and claim the tournament championship with a 3-0 record. Stewart led the team with 15 kills and 19 digs in that final match. She also tallied four service aces, tied with Macy for the team lead. Cronin added three solo blocks as Tufts claimed the championship trophy.

For the tournament, Cronin tallied 10 service aces and 7 blocks (5 solo, 2 ass't) to lead the team, and her 31 kills was third on the squad. Stewart led the Jumbos with 41 kills, hitting .313, and was second on the team with 36 digs. This is the second straight year that Stewart has earned All-Tournament honors at the Coast Guard Invitational.

The Jumbos will try to build on their season's strong start as they prepare to face Eastern Nazarene College in a home match this Tuesday at 7 pm (Sept. 11).

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