Nicole Doerges Records Career High 30 Kills in 3-1 Loss at Emerson

BOSTON, Mass. -- Senior Nicole Doerges (San Marino, Calif) continued her dominate offensive year posting a career high 30 kills, but Wellesley fell in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) matchup 3-1 (25-13, 25-22, 24-26, 25-16), on the road at Emerson College.

The Blue dropped its fourth consecutive conference match and drop to 2-7 overall and 0-4 in the NEWMAC. Emerson improves to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in NEWMAC play.

Doerges finished with a career high 30 kills and was solid defensively with 13 digs. Junior TylerBell Smith (Frisco, Texas) played a steady match with eight kills and a solo block for a point. Three other Blue players finished with double digit digs including Claire Bialek (Brookline, Mass.) with 18, Lizzy Jessen (Burbank, Calif.) with 15, and Izzy Seebold (Concord, N.C.) with 12. Seebold added 41 assists on the evening.

Amelia Combs (Eugene, Ore.) of Emerson had a team high nine kills in the victory. Right behind her was Parker Cummings (Rochester, N.Y.) with 8 kills. Overall, the Lions had 13 blocks, including 10 block assists and three solo blocks.

The first set was dominated by the Lions, who took the lead early and didn't look back winning 25-13. Down 17-13 in the second set, the Blue battled back on a 3-0 run and forced Emerson to use a timeout. The Lions did not go down without a fight and gained the momentum back, eventually coming away with the second set by a score of 25-22. 

Backed against the wall, the Blue got the spark it needed and jumped out to an early 8-4 lead in the third set. However, the Lions stormed back to tie the set at 16-16. Emerson had a 24-23 late advantage, but Wellesley went to trusty Doerges, who earned the kill to tie the set. The point was followed by two attack errors and the Blue earned the win to force a fourth set.

Emerson went ahead 6-1 in the fourth and final set, which was too much for Wellesley. The Lions closed out the match 25-16 and improved to 3-1 in conference play.

Wellesley begins a three-game home stretch with a match versus Mount Holyoke on Saturday, October 2, at 2:00 PM. Emerson will also play on October 2 on the road at Coast Guard at 1:00 PM.