Salisbury, Md. – October 13, 2012 – The Springfield College women’s volleyball team split a pair of matches in the opening day of the Salisbury Invitational on Saturday evening. The Pride defeated Richard Stockton in four sets before falling in three sets to host Salisbury.

Springfield is now 19-5 on the season and will play New Paltz and Mary Washington on Sunday morning.

In the 25-10, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21 win over Richard Stockton, the Pride had a solid offensive showing, posting a .326 hitting percentage. Tessa Smolinski led the way with 15 kills at a .394 clip, while Mary Consol totaled 12 kills, hitting .455 out of the middle. Daniella Crismani notched 10 kills and eight digs, and Molly Giannattasio delivered 43 assists in the win. Amy Entel was credited with six of the Pride’s 12 service aces, and Elise Brogan registered nine kills of her own, hitting .444.

Springfield was swept for just the third time in the past three seasons as it dropped a 25-20, 25-14, 25-11 decision to the Sea Gulls. The Pride hit just .160 and failed to record a service ace, while Salisbury hit .386, the highest hitting percentage Springfield had allowed all season. Whitney Miller had 16 assists, while Consol led the team with 11 kills. Both Smolinski and Kelsey McGayhey totaled seven kills in the loss. Entel added 15 digs to anchor the defense.