New London, Conn. – November 10, 2012 – Despite winning the opening two sets of the match, the Springfield College women’s volleyball team dropped a hard-fought five-set match to Bowdoin College on Saturday evening in the NCAA Division III Regional Semifinals. The Polar Bears rallied for a 21-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-7.

Springfield’s season comes to a close with a 27-8 record, while Bowdoin avenged an earlier four-set loss this season to the Pride to improve to 28-4.

Tessa Smolinski totaled a team-best 15 kills and added 20 digs for the Springfield. Kelsey McGayhey had the best match of her young career, pounding out 13 kills at a .312 clip to go along with four blocks. Mary Consol finished her career with eight kills and seven blocks, and Amy Entel posted a match-best 26 digs.

Senior Melissa Haskell delivered for the Polar Bears, erupting with 19 kills and 10 digs en route to a double-double, while Christy Jewett buried 16 kills with just two errors and had five blocks, hitting .483 in the triumph.

Tory Edelman finished with 17 kills for the Polar Bears. Junior setter Sophia Cornew had 55 assists and 20 digs, while Taylor Vail registered 20 digs.

For her efforts over the weekend, Smolinski was named to the regional All-Tournament Team.