Babson Park, Mass. – October 9, 2012 – A strong team effort helped guide the Springfield College women’s volleyball team to a three-set victory in New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Tuesday.

With the set scores of 25-21, 25-22, 27-25, the Pride improved to 18-4, 5-1 in league play. The Pride amassed 74 digs and eight blocks as its defense shut down Babson, who fell for just the second time in their last 11 matches, dropping their record to 16-5 overall and 3-3 in the NEWMAC.,

SpringfieldÂ's offense was anchored by junior Tessa Smolinski and senior Mary Consol, who each finished with 12 kills in the victory. Smolinski also paced the Pride with 25 digs, while Consol registered a team-high five block assists. First-year Elise Brogan chipped in with eight kills, sophomore Amy Entel added 19 digs, and sophomore Molly Giannattasio finished with a match-high 39 set assists.

First-year Mary Donahue once again led all players with 14 kills in defeat for the Beavers, while fellow first-years Alicia Wilde and Krissy Robertson finished with nine and eight kills, respectively. Senior captain Kathleen Lynch posted 37 assists, sophomore libero Kseniya Stepanova recorded a team-high 18 digs.

The Pride pulled away late in the first set, snapping a 21-21 tie with a 4-0 run that featured two kills by Smolinski and another by Consol. The visitorsÂ' decisive burst in the second set came much earlier on, as Consol recorded three straight kills as part of a 4-0 burst that turned a 7-7 deadlock into an 11-7 advantage. Babson never quite recovered for the remainder of the set, as the Pride maintained a lead of at least two points on their way to the 25-22 victory.

The third set was the closest of the night, featuring 13 ties and six lead changes. Babson pushed Springfield to the brink with a late run that made it 24-21, but the Pride fought off three straight set points and then another after the Beavers made it 25-24. Following a kill by Consol that evened the set at 25-25, Springfield moved ahead on a Babson error and then clinched the 27-25 set victory and the match on a Smolinski’s 12th kill of the night.

Springfield will travel to Maryland this weekend to compete in the Salisbury Invitational. The Pride will play on Saturday and Sunday, taking on Richard Stockton, Salisbury, New Paltz, and Mary Washington.