MEDFORD, Mass. - The Sharks closed out the regular season with a 3-0 loss to Tufts University at Cousens Gym Saturday afternoon.

In the final game of a tri-match with Colby College, Tufts, who finished the regular season at 19-7, was again led offensively by Hayley Hopper with 10 kills and Elizabeth Ahrens with nine kills.

The first set saw Tufts score 30 points in a set for the first time since November 19, 2009 in a 31-29 win over Hope College at John Caroll University in an NCAA quarterfinal match. Tufts pulled out a 30-28 win over the Sharks after trailing for the majority of the set. The Jumbos take their first lead at 28-27 on a service ace byIsabel Kuhel. Simmons (10-23) tied it at 28 on an attack error by Hopper. Ahrens then had a kill and a solo block to get the win for Tufts.

The final two sets were a bit easier for Tufts as it came away with 25-18 and 25-16 wins to extend its season-high winning streak to seven matches. This is the longest winning streak since the Jumbos won eight straight three times during the 2011 season, the last run from October 21 to November 4.

Junior middle hitter Kuhel had seven kills and four solo blocks for Tufts. Setter Kyra Baum had 31 assists, her 14 match with 30 plus assists. The sophomore added a team-best 15 digs. Junior Jessica Ingrum had six kills. First year hitter Mary Maccabee added five kills. In her final regular season match senior Virgina Clay had seven digs and an assist.

Simmons Rossi Fish (North Attleboro, MA) had seven kills to lead the Sharks. Nicole Alberghini (Northborough, MA) added six kills. Andalyn Duke (Litchfield Park, AZ) had 17 assists and Alexandria Itasaka (Bradford, MA) had 19 digs.

In the second match of the afternoon Simmons defeated Colby 3-2 behind 10 kills by Megan Chamberlin (Milford, MA). The Sharks won the second set 28-26, the fourth 26-24 and the fifth 15-8. Colby won the first 25-19 and the third 25-13. Kim Donaldson had 15 kills for Colby. Kate Pleasants had a team-high 26 assists and Anna Clifford added 16 digs.

The Sharks landed the #5 seed in the upcoming Great Northeast Athletic Conference tournament and will travel to #4 Saint Joseph's College (Me.) on Tuesday, Nov. 5 for a quarterfinal matchup at 7:00 PM.