MEDFORD, MA (November 6, 2025) -- The No. 23 Tufts University volleyball team starts its postseason this Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in Cousens Gymnasium, as the Jumbos take on Bowdoin College in the 2025 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Quarterfinals in Medford. Tufts earned the No. 4 seed in the NESCAC Tournament last Friday with a big 3-2 road win at No. 14 Wesleyan University, as the Jumbos clawed back from down 2-1 to win the final two sets to finish 7-3 in the NESCAC standings. Bowdoin has won two straight matches, having knocked off Connecticut College and Trinity College last weekend to finish 14-9 overall and 6-4 in the NESCAC.
Game Details
Opponent: vs. Bowdoin College (14-9, 6-4 NESCAC)
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Medford, Mass. –
Ellis Oval -
Directions
Live Coverage:
LIVE STATS –
LIVE VIDEO
Tufts vs. Bowdoin All-Time
Since the 2001 season, Tufts holds a 23-13 edge against the Polar Bears though Bowdoin has taken the last two meetings over the last two seasons including a 3-1 win up in Brunswick earlier this year. Prior to last season, Tufts hadn't lost a set to Bowdoin since 2021 and hadn't dropped a match to the Polar Bears since 2019. In the NESCAC Tournament, Tufts is 28-23 all-time while the Polar Bears are 23-18, as Tufts has three NESCAC titles with Bowdoin having four before the weekend. Tufts is 5-3 all-time against Bowdoin College in the NESCAC playoffs dating back to 1999.
A Look At The Jumbos (19-5)
Tufts enters the NESCAC Tournament with a 19–5 overall record and a 7–3 mark in conference play, rebounding from mid-season setbacks to finish strong down the stretch. The Jumbos were consistent across environments — 5–1 at home, 9–3 away, and 5–1 at neutral sites — showing a balanced, road-tested group ready for postseason play. Their recent 3–2 win at Wesleyan to close the regular season was a critical momentum builder heading into the quarterfinals.
Offensively, Tufts has been one of the most efficient teams in the league, averaging 12.6 kills per set while hitting .214 as a group. That figure represents a steady improvement from earlier stretches of the year, with a more balanced attack led by several reliable hitters. The team outpaces its opponents in both kills (1172–973) and hitting percentage (.214–.153), a testament to its ability to sustain offense across long rallies and maintain consistency against quality defenses.
Leading the attack has been junior
Emma Heckman, who tops the roster with 238 kills (2.59 per set) on a .242 hitting percentage. Heckman's combination of volume and efficiency has anchored the Jumbos' front line. Alongside her, sophomore
Maiwenn Kamdje has emerged as a dominant force at the net, registering 217 kills and hitting .275, while also contributing 49 blocks. Kamdje's ability to convert quick sets and pressure opposing middles has given Tufts a key presence.
Complementing that front-line duo is
Claire Castor, another steady producer with 197 kills (2.46 per set) and 25 service aces. Her versatility on both offense and defense adds valuable depth to the rotation.
Bridget Lonergan and
Julia Griffiths round out a well-rounded front line — Lonergan hitting an efficient .275 with 96 kills, and Griffiths adding 96 kills while posting a team-best 1.22 blocks per set. This collective front-row strength makes Tufts one of the more physical teams in the NESCAC.
Setting duties have been shared between
Rianna Liu and
Ellery Clark, both of whom have kept the offense balanced and unpredictable. Liu leads the team with 313 assists (5.59 per set), while Clark isn't far behind at 308 (4.53 per set). Their ability to distribute evenly across multiple options has allowed Tufts to stay efficient even when top hitters are well-defended. In total, Tufts averages 11.6 assists per set, showing reliable ball control and transition play.
Behind the service line, the Jumbos remain aggressive, averaging 2.2 aces per set on 205 total aces.
Matsa Shi leads the team with 38 aces, followed by Liu (25) and Castor (25). Though Tufts has committed 227 service errors, their risk-reward approach often disrupts opposing passers and creates momentum swings — an element that could prove crucial against a strong defensive team like Bowdoin.
Defensively, Tufts posts 14.6 digs per set, edging opponents slightly in that category (1359–1301 total digs). Shi, the team's libero, has been a steady anchor with 250 digs (3.16 per set), providing stability in serve-receive and down-ball defense. Liu and Castor have also contributed more than 150 digs apiece, giving Tufts three dependable back-row options who can keep long rallies alive.
At the net, the Jumbos' block has been one of their most effective tools. The team averages 2.11 blocks per set, totaling 196 team blocks on the year. Griffiths (89 total blocks) and Heckman (60) lead the charge, with Kamdje (49) and Lonergan (47) providing depth. This consistent front-row defense has held opponents to a .153 hitting percentage, a number that highlights Tufts' ability to control tempo and limit clean swings.
The Jumbos' season includes several quality wins — including five-set victories over Johns Hopkins, Wesleyan, and Babson — demonstrating their composure in tight, high-pressure moments.
A Look At The Polar Bears (14-9)
Bowdoin enters the NESCAC Tournament with a 14–9 overall record and a 6–4 mark in conference play, rounding into form late in the season with four straight wins to close the regular schedule. The Polar Bears have proven resilient through a challenging slate that included 11 road matches (5–6) and six at home (4–2). They have also thrived in neutral-site competition, posting a strong 5–1 record in tournament play. With back-to-back sweeps at Connecticut College and Trinity to end the season, Bowdoin carries significant momentum into the postseason.
Statistically, Bowdoin has shown impressive offensive balance and efficiency. The team averages 12.1 kills per set while hitting a collective .229, one of the higher marks in the NESCAC. Their opponents have been held to just a .149 hitting percentage, illustrating the Polar Bears' dual strength on both sides of the net. Over the course of 83 sets, Bowdoin has compiled 1,005 kills on 2,708 total attacks, maintaining steady offensive rhythm from multiple positions.
A trio of consistent attackers leads the Bowdoin offense. Zoe Ryu has been the primary scoring option with 213 kills (2.88 per set) while hitting .228, providing both power and consistency from the outside. Alison Smith has been the most efficient hitter, recording 205 kills on a .334 clip — the highest percentage among Polar Bear regulars — and leading the team in total points (233.5). Meanwhile, Skye LaMendola adds 193 kills (2.76 per set) and 23 blocks, rounding out a well-balanced front line capable of producing from all rotations.
The front line extends deeper than the top three. Haley Campau has emerged as a key middle option, averaging 1.38 kills per set while hitting .272, and contributing a team-best 63 total blocks. Hannah Woolley (83 kills, .223 hitting percentage) and Mina Mittler (96 kills) have provided valuable depth and flexibility, giving Bowdoin multiple lineup options. The diversity of offensive threats has allowed Bowdoin to avoid predictable sets and adjust effectively in long rallies.
The attack is driven by standout setter Cameron Shelly, who is third in the NESCAC in both total assists (627) and assists per set (8.04). Shelly's steady hand and court vision have been vital to Bowdoin's success, as the team averages 11.23 assists per set, comfortably above its opponents. Supporting her, Anna Yeh adds 232 assists while serving as a reliable secondary setter and rotation stabilizer.
From the service line, Bowdoin averages 2.0 aces per set on 166 total aces, nearly identical to its opponents but with more distribution across the roster. Yeh leads the team with 28 aces, followed closely by Ryu (40) and LaMendola (23). While service errors (209) have been a challenge at times, Bowdoin's aggressive serving style is key to applying early pressure and disrupting opposing offenses.
Defensively, the Polar Bears post 14.5 digs per set, a mark that mirrors Tufts closely and ranks among the upper half of the conference. Yeh anchors the back row with 305 digs (3.67 per set), supported by Kelsey Kim (206) and LaMendola (190). That trio has stabilized Bowdoin's serve receive and transition defense, helping the team limit opponents to just 10.48 kills per set on a sub-.150 attack rate.
Bowdoin's blocking numbers have been excellent as well, with the team averaging 2.23 blocks per set — slightly better than Tufts' 2.11 — and totaling 185 team blocks on the season. Campau leads the way with 63, while Smith (44) and Woolley (54) have also made major contributions. That collective effort has allowed Bowdoin to close out sets with timely stops, particularly against top-tier competition.
2025 NESCAC Quarterfinal Schedule (seeded)
(7) Conn. College at (2) Colby - 1 PM
(6) Middlebury at (3) Williams - 3 PM
(8) Bates at (1) Wesleyan - 3 PM
(5) Bowdoin at (4) Tufts - 7 PM
--JUMBOS--
