Amherst, Mass. – October 12, 2023 – The Springfield College women's volleyball team continued their strong play with a sweep of Amherst in non-conference action on Thursday evening by the scores of 25-19, 25-17, 25-11. 

Springfield, which is just outside the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)/TARAFLEX Division III Top 25 based on votes received in the national poll, is now 18-1 following their 14th-straight victory. The loss brought Amherst to 6-8 this year. 

The Pride totaled 40 kills at a .306 hitting percentage, as Riley Donahue (South Windsor, Conn.) put away 15 kills to go along with 10 digs and Natalie Billet (Commack, N.Y.) registered 10 kills of their own.  Ally Townsend (Hummelstown, Pa.) erupted for 22 digs and eclipsed the 1,000 dig total for her career to anchor the defense,  Tori Colosimo (Fairport, N.Y.) was impressive in running the Pride's offense with 35 assists, and Maeve Voltz (Bay Shore, N.Y.) was dominant in the middle with eight kills and five blocks.  Springfield was impressive from the end line, totaling 12 aces, including three off the arm of Colosimo and Olivia Nealy (Athens, Ga.).

With eight ties and five lead changes in the opening set, Springfield used a 4-0 burst to take a 15-12 advantage as a pair of kills from Voltz sandwiched a big swing from Donahue. In a frame where Donahue put away six kills, Springfield pulled away with a 25-19 win following a huge stuff block from Voltz.

In the second, the teams traded points to begin the frame before the Pride took over the stanza from the end line.  Springfield would account for seven aces in the set, with Nealy fittingly delivering a winner down the line on set point for the 25-17 victory. 

Springfield then scored the first four points of the third and and surged out to a 10-3 lead as the hosts called for a timeout after a kill by Donahue. Springfield didn't let up, pushing its lead to 17-7 following a termination from Donahue and Colosimo connected on her second ace of the set to compete the 25-11 win.  The Pride limited the Mammoths to just four kills at a -.111 hitting percentage in the final set of the night.

Springfield returns to New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play on Saturday when they travel to Mount Holyoke for a 1 pm tilt. 

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