The Hamilton College volleyball team opened a weekend of NESCAC competition by hosting Tufts Friday night at the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House. The Continentals won the opening set 26-24 before the NESCAC-leading Jumbos rallied to claim the match by winning the last three sets (25-13, 25-16, 25-3).

Hamilton is now 6-5 on the season with a 2-3 mark in the NESCAC. Tufts upped its overall record to 13-1; at 6-0 the Jumbos are the only team unbeaten in conference play.

The Continentals staged a big rally in the first set; they trailed 10-2 before pulling to within 19-15. After the visitors scored to push their lead back to five, Hamilton ran off six straight points to take the lead for the first time. Missy Mouritsen '20 served consecutive aces for the Continentals' 19th and 20th points. The Jumbos withstood Hamilton's first set point attempt and tied the score at 24 but back-to-back kills by Giuliana Rankin '20 gave the hosts the win.

Rankin led Hamilton with 11 kills. Erin Donahue '18 finished with eight to go along with six digs.

Kyndal Burdin '18, the NESCAC's leader in assist average, collected 24 while also contributing eight digs. Christine Zizzi '18 paced the Continentals with 16 digs.

The Jumbos hit .294 as a team, paced by the quartet of Elizabeth Ahrens, Alexandra Garrett, McKenzie Humann and Mary Maccabee who combined for 27 kills and just two errors in 57 attempts (a .439 hitting percentage).

Brigid Bell – who hit .391 – led all players with 12 kills. Katie Zheng finished with 24 assists and Angela Yu contributed 14.

Kelly Klimo finished with 15 digs and Yu added 14. Alexandra Garrett – who had seven of Tufts' 15 service aces – collected 10 digs.

The Continentals wrap up their NESCAC weekend Saturday against the Bowdoin Polar Bears. First serve is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Margaret Bundy Scott Field House.