Cambridge, Mass. – September 14, 2013 – The Springfield College women’s volleyball team defeated both Connecticut College and Bowdoin on Saturday afternoon to win the MIT Invitational.

The Pride along with Roger Williams University turned in a 4-0 performance and had a sets won-lost ledger of 12-3, resulting in point differential as the tie-breaker. Springfield edged out the Hawks, 88-75, to claim its second title in three years.

Springfield has now won its first eight matches to begin the season as it toppled a pair of teams on Saturday that reached last year’s NCAA Regional Championship semifinals. The Pride bested Connecticut College by the set scores of 25-13, 25-16, 25-23, before knocking off Bowdoin, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 20-25, 15-12.

Tessa Smolinski (Hebron, Conn.) was named the Invitational’s MVP, while teammate Whitney Miller (Cuba, N.Y.) was selected to the MIT Invitational All-Tournament Team.

In the three-set win over the Camels, both Daniella Crismani (San Francsico, Calif.) and Smolinski had nine kills, while Lauren Holt (Granby, Conn.) added seven kills. Miller directed the offense with 35 assists and Crismani posted 10 digs.

In a rematch of last year’s NCAA Regional Championship semifinal, the Pride got the best of Bowdoin in the five-set win. Smolinski tallied 14 kills, and Holt controlled the middle with 13 kills and eight blocks. Crismani was once again consistent on the pin, going for 10 kills, 13 digs, and three aces. Miller was credited with 46 assists and a pair of blocks en route to her second-straight all-tournament team accolade.

Springfield will open up New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Tuesday evening when it takes on Coast Guard at 7:00 pm in Blake Arena.