Tufts bests Trinity, wins seventh straight

When Tufts entered Cousens Gym on Saturday for its game against Trinity, there were plenty of numbers going through the Jumbos’ heads: 25 points to win the set, three sets to win the match, six games left in the regular season. But there was one number that was on the minds of everyone in the gym that afternoon: seven.

Tufts increased its impressive win streak to seven games on Saturday, beating NESCAC rival Trinity 3-0 in straight sets (25-22, 25-16, 25-16).

“Every NESCAC match is an important one, so the team works hard to secure those wins,” coach Cora Thompson told the Daily in an email. “More important than the actual win is how we played, so we really pay attention to how points were scored as a way of analyzing how we did. Offensively, we are working this week to be more efficient than we were last week.”

The victory came on Tufts’ senior day, where the Jumbos honored seniors Maddie Kuppe, Kyra Baum and co-captains Carolina Berger and Esme Nulan.

“We have so much respect for our seniors, and they do so much for our team,” said first-year Angela Yu, who leads the team in assists. “This wasn’t our last time playing with them as we still have a few more games, but at that moment [when they were honored] we had complete respect for them.”

Yu remarked that playing with the seniors has helped her improve her game.

“It’s really incredible [to be around them] because although I am four years younger than [they are], they don’t treat me like I am [four years younger]," Yu said. "Not only are they role models for me but they’re also very friendly and encouraging.”

Kuppe has been particularly successful this season and had 13 kills on the day -- half of the team’s total. The former NESCAC Player of the Week (awarded on Oct. 12) also added 12 digs to an already impressive stat line.

“There is no question [Kuppe] has been a go-to player for us, and Saturday was no different,” Thompson said. “Her performance is always important but, in a sport like volleyball, one player’s performance is not possible without her teammates setting her up for that success.”

Yu had an impressive day of her own on Saturday, contributing 14 assists. Yu's season total is now 309 -- the most assists of any Jumbo so far this year.

“I just kept being aggressive,” Yu said. “I played relentless defense -- I think that’s one of my biggest goals.”

Thompson has also taken notice of Yu’s efforts and had a great deal of praise for the first-year.

“[Yu] has certainly stepped up as a rookie this season and has helped us run the offense that works best for the team,” Thompson said. “Her composure and competitive spirit have really been assets to our team immediately upon her arrival.”

The Jumbos will next look to the New England Challenge this upcoming weekend. The team will host Wellesley for their last home game of the regular season. On Saturday, they will travel to MIT, where they face MIT and Babson in a doubleheader. Their opponents for this weekend hold records of 12-11, 23-2and 19-7, respectively. The Engineers pose the biggest threat to the Jumbos’ winning streak, as they currently hold a stifling .920 winning percentage.

“There's a little bit of pressure [to maintain the winning streak],” Yu said. “But we focus on taking each match as its own match, and within those matches taking it point by point and doing all the little things right.”

After improving to 15-4 on the season after Saturday’s emphatic win over Trinity, Tufts will look to carry the winning spirit into their last home game and beyond.