Babson Inches By Blue Volleyball in 3-2 Battle

BABSON PARK, Mass. – Backed by 50 assists and 13 digs from first year Zoe Ackerman (Aurora, Colo.), Babson outlasted Wellesley College volleyball 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 25-15, 23-25, 15-7) in a back and forth NEWMAC duel on Tuesday at Staake Gymnasium. Both teams came into the contest riding an eight-match win streak.

Senior Erin Gray (Oakland, Calif.) and junior Lauren Gips (Orlando, Fla.) combined for 30 kills for the Beavers (12-1 Overall, 3-0 NEWMAC) while teammate Allison Molendyk (Danville, Calif.) did it all with 16 kills and 13 digs. 

First year Madeline Zornek (Orlando, Fla.) had a double-double for the Blue (8-3 Overall, 2-1 NEWMAC) with 23 assists and 12 digs, while sophomore libero Kaija Kunze-Hoeg (Eagan, Minn.) had a season-high 27 digs. First year Kate Giang (Corte Madera, Calif.) was the offensive leader for Wellesley with 18 kills and a .286 hitting percentage.

The Beavers jumped out to a 5-1 lead and were up 16-11 in the first set before Wellesley roared back by winning eight consecutive points. Both teams traded points until 23-23, when senior Kate Salembier (Sierra Madre, Calif.) had a critical kill for Wellesley. An error from Babson gave Wellesley the 25-23 first set.

Babson took an early lead in the second set and went on to win a 25-19 set with a .267 hitting percentage. 

The Beavers won a straightforward 25-15 third set with 14 kills and a .429 hitting percentage 

The Blue bounced back early in the fourth with a 16-11 lead. The Beavers brought the lead down to one at 23-22 but Wellesley capitalized on a service error to win 25-23 and force a deciding set.

After fighting to 6-6 in the fifth, Babson took over with eight points in a row, before finishing a 15-7 set on a kill from senior Lulu McShane (Glencoe, Ill.).

Next up, Wellesley returns home to play Smith in a 7:00 PM match on Friday, September 29 while Babson finishes a four-game homestand tomorrow at 7:00 PM against Endicott.