Skip To Main Content

Brandeis University

Women's Volleyball

Verstovsek shines as Judges push #23 Tufts in four-set loss

Box Score

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

Players Mentioned

Sydney Bent

#22 Sydney Bent

OH/RH
5' 10"
Graduate Student
Emerson White

#12 Emerson White

RSH
6' 1"
Senior
Ines Grom-Mansencal

#3 Ines Grom-Mansencal

S
5' 8"
Senior
Arianna Jackson

#13 Arianna Jackson

MH
6' 0"
Junior
Ella Pereira

#6 Ella Pereira

DS/L
5' 7"
Senior
Lara Verstovsek

#1 Lara Verstovsek

OH
6' 1"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Sydney Bent

#22 Sydney Bent

5' 10"
Graduate Student
OH/RH
Emerson White

#12 Emerson White

6' 1"
Senior
RSH
Ines Grom-Mansencal

#3 Ines Grom-Mansencal

5' 8"
Senior
S
Arianna Jackson

#13 Arianna Jackson

6' 0"
Junior
MH
Ella Pereira

#6 Ella Pereira

5' 7"
Senior
DS/L
Lara Verstovsek

#1 Lara Verstovsek

6' 1"
Junior
OH
Skip Ad