Northampton, Mass. – October 4, 2011 – The Springfield College women’s volleyball team breezed past Smith College in three sets on Tuesday evening in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play. The Pride took the match by the scores of 25-15, 25-19, 25-14.

The Pioneers drop to 6-7, and 1-4 in the NEWMAC, and Springfield, who checked in at No. 20 in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll, improved to 17-0 and 5-0 in NEWMAC play.

The Pride opened up a 12-7 lead to take the first set 25-15, but Smith made a game of it in the second, staying within 17-16 before the Pride ended the set on a 8-3 run to take it 25-19. 

In the third set, Smith took an 8-7 lead, but the Pride came back to take an 11-9 lead that forced Smith into a timeout.  Springfield pulled away, finishing the set on a 14-5 run to take the set 25-14.

The Pioneers struggled, hitting -.034 for the match.  Kristi Hammond led the way with four kills and hit .273, while Rosa Drummond had six kills and eight digs.  Hayley Bezubka had 18 assists, and Bethany Ashworth had 16 digs.

Lauren Torvi led Springfield with 12 kills and five blocks, while Tessa Smolisnki had eight kills and eight digs.  Molly Giannattasio had 16 assists, and Whitney Miller had nine assists.  Itza Nieves led the Pride on defense with seven digs.

The Pride will resume play on Friday evening as it hosts the annual Tom Hay Invitational. Springfield will battle Plymouth State at 5:00 pm before taking on New Paltz at 7:00 pm.

(Photo by Cindi Williamson of Fat Dog Fotos)