Babson Park, Mass. – September 13, 2011 – Behind a team-best 17 kills from Tessa Smolinski, the Springfield College women’s volleyball team picked up a four-set win at Babson College in its New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener on Tuesday evening. The Pride won by the scores of 25-21, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21.

Springfield has now reeled off nine-straight wins to start the season.

Smolinski committed just two attack errors while racking up 17 kills and 11 digs. Current NEWMAC Player of the Week Lauren Torvi added 12 kills and six blocks, while fellow middle Mary Consol posted six kills and six blocks. Molly Giannattasio handed out 28 assists and totaled five blocks, and Whitney Miller chipped in with 10 assists. In the four-set victory, Itza Nieves led Springfield’s defensive efforts with 22 digs.

The Pride will now prepare for a critical conference clash with rival Coast Guard on Saturday at 1:00 pm. The Bears enter the match ranked 25th in the country and will return to Blake Arena where they upset Springfield in the NEWMAC Tournament Championship match a year ago.