Teams: Volleyball: Press Releases

Friday, September 15, 2006

VOLLEYBALL TEAM WINS 100TH MATCH FOR COACH CORA THOMPSON

MEDFORD – Just 139 matches into her coaching career, Tufts University volleyball leader Cora Thompson was presented with her 100th victory on Tuesday night (September 12). The Jumbos won a non-conference match at Endicott College, 3-1, improving Thompson's record with the team to 100-39 for a stellar .719 winning percentage.

In the match, Tufts was paced by a strong service game that featured 14 aces. Leading the way with four aces apiece were senior co-captain Kelly Harrison (Blue Jay, CA) and sophomore Stacy Filocco (Olney, MD). Both also led the attack, with Filocco continuing her fine early-season play by recording a team-high 16 kills and Harrison adding 11. Sophomore Kaitlin O'Reilly (Manhattan Beach, CA) set the offense with 41 assists in four games. Defensively, 17 digs from sophomore Maya Ripecky (Chicago, IL) and three blocks by junior Katie Wysham (Spokane, WA) were the top numbers.

Thompson has been associated with the Jumbo volleyball program for 11 years since coming to Tufts from Half Moon Bay, California in 1995. A defensive specialist for the Jumbos, she was a sophomore on the 1996 Tufts team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament. She also played in three NCAA Tournaments as a four-year starter at shortstop on the softball team. She earned her master's degree in education from Tufts in 2001.

Under her tutelage, the Jumbos have surged to the top of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). Promoted to head coach in November 2001 after serving as the team's assistant, she directed the Jumbos to 20-win seasons in each of her first two years. Thompson was voted NESCAC Coach of the Year in 2004 when Tufts finished 28-6 and advanced to the conference championship match. The squad enjoyed even greater success last fall, finishing as NESCAC runner-up again and earning an NCAA Tournament berth. Their 29-7 finish was a school-record for victories.

This fall, Thompson and the Jumbos are looking to move beyond finishing second in NESCAC to win their first conference title since 1996.

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