Just when it seemed that its record-breaking season might finally have come to an end this past weekend, following a failure to reach the NESCAC championship game and the right to compete for the league's automatic bid, the volleyball team saw its season revived with an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
With an impressive 27-2 overall record, the Jumbos captured the NESCAC regular season title and earned the top seed in the conference tournament. After defeating No. 8 Bates in the opening round, however, the Jumbos fell 3-2 to the eventual champion Williams in a thrilling semifinal match.
Still standing at a program-best 28-3, the Jumbos have now been given the opportunity to extend their season when they host the regional round of the NCAA Tournament at Cousens Gym Thursday through Saturday.
"It is really exciting to be in and host [the NCAA Tournament]," said senior tri-captain Natalie Goldstein, who has led the Jumbos this season with 501 digs. "As a senior, not knowing if the season was over really makes me appreciate every game and practice we have left."
"It is a bit of a relief," added senior tri-captain Stacy Filocco. "We were confident that the committee would respect what a good season we've had thus far, but it was never a sure thing."
Last year, the Jumbos ended the season 19-13 after losing just as they did this weekend -- to Williams in the NESCAC semis. The squad has had a major turnaround since then in earning its first NCAA berth since 2005.
"I give credit for the most part to a strong senior class," coach Cora Thompson said. "This year we have four experienced seniors who were part of our record-breaking season in 2005, and especially with them, it is like a second life to be given the opportunity to compete again."
The team has also benefited from a strong group dynamic this year that they will count on to guide them to success in the national tourney.
"I have never been on a team that worked so well together," senior tri-captain Kate Denniston said. "Playing together, we are an unstoppable force."
"We had the talent last year, but not necessarily the mental game," Goldstein added. "Mentally, now, we just know how to win. We have great team chemistry."
While the Jumbos' 28-3 record was certainly a major reason underlying their earning a spot in the tournament, the opponents that Tufts faced throughout the year were likely a factor as well.
"Our strength of schedule was really important," Thompson said. "The teams that we've competed against have been regionally ranked teams. The NESCAC is also the toughest top to bottom in all of Div. III. There are so many tough teams in our conference."
"We were voted No. 1 in New England throughout the season, and that was one of the main things that allowed us to get in," Goldstein said. "We have also proven that we are the best in New England after beating a lot of other top teams."
Some of those key victories included victories over regional No. 2 Springfield and No. 3 Wellesley earlier this season, while the fourth- through sixth-ranked teams all hail from the NESCAC -- Tufts posted a perfect 10-0 regular season conference record this season. Once more, one of its two regular season losses came from the same Springfield squad.
After fearing that their season might have ended prematurely, the Jumbos said they feel as though they will come out even stronger now in the NCAA Tournament.
"This will definitely fire us up," Denniston said of earning the NCAA berth and having the opportunity to play at home again.
"We know that this is a big deal and this was one of our goals for this season," Filocco added. "It is a chance for us to prove that we really belong [in the NCAA Tournament]."
Without the pressure of being a top seed in the tournament this time around, at No. 2, the Jumbos will be able to play without the burden of the expectations that have weighed on them over the course of the season.
"We are thrilled to have another opportunity as underdogs now," Thompson said. "It is nice to not be No. 1, and we have nothing to lose this time around."
The Jumbos' first match of the tournament takes place tomorrow at 8:30 pm, when they host 12-23 Bridgewater State.
