BOSTON, Mass. – The Brandeis University volleyball team had a two-sets-to-one advantage today, but the Judges couldn't hang on as the short-handed Judges suffered a 3-2 loss at UMass Boston in their non-conference finals. The Judges are 4-19 headed into next weekend's UAA Tournament, while the Beacons are now 9-18 headed into the Little East tournament.

Playing without their regular setter and libero, the Judges were still able to take a 2-1 lead. They dropped the first set, 25-20, despite hitting .333 (12 K-1 E-33 TA), but bounced back to win the second, 25-18, holding UMB to a match-low .036 hitting percentage in the set. The Brandeis offense was click on all cylinders in the third set, picking up 16 of their 25 points on kills as they won, 25-21. The Beacons responded in the fourth and fifth, as they made just two errors and had 20 kills on 46 total attacks (.391), while Brandeis was held even with as many kills as errors. UMass Boston took the final two sets, 25-15, 15-8, to take the win.

Despite being down two regulars, the Judges managed to put together three double-double performances. Junior Belle Scott (Portland, Ore./Oregon Episcopal School) tied for match-high honors with 16 kills and had seven errors for a .205 hitting percentage. She also had 15 digs, tied for team-high honors. It was her sixth double-double of the season. Rookie Amelia Oppenheimer (The Woodlands, Texas/The Woodlands) added her third double-double with 11 kills and 15 digs. Senior Emma Bartlett (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury) completed the double-double contingent with 11 kills and 12 digs. It was her eighth of the season.

Rookie Talia Freund (La Jolla, Calif./La Jolla) had 20 assists, while classmate Emily Morrison (Richardson, Texas/Richardson) added 15. 

UMass Boston had a more balanced lineup, with only one double-double from setter Carson Komminsk, who had 43 assists and 11 digs. Emilia Czapiewska matched Scott with 16 kills, while Tyla Parker led all players with 19 digs. Sarah Doyle was terrific at the net for the Beacons, with 10 kills and six blocks (four solo).

Brandeis, the seventh seed in next weekend's UAA tournament, meets second-seeded – and second-ranked in Division III – Emory in the quarterfinals.