Springfield, Mass. — October 3, 2026 — The Springfield College women's volleyball team was defeated by New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opponent Emerson on Saturday afternoon, 3-2.
The Lions won by set scores of 20-25, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 15-11 and improved to 13-1 overall and 4-0 in the NEWMAC while the Pride drop to 10-4, 2-2.
The duo of Jodi Saelua (Mililani, Hawaii) and Tori Colosimo (Fairport, N.Y.) led the Pride as Saelua notched 22 kills and seven blocks as Colosimo registered a double-double with 42 assists, 27 digs, sevens kills and three blocks. Caroline Burg (Vernon, Conn.) had 19 digs to go along with two service aces.
The Pride looked strong to start the match, taking a 5-0 lead after three straight attack errors from Emerson. Springfield continued to add to the lead with a three-point spurt before the Lions scored six consecutive points to get within one. Springfield then outscored Emerson 7-3 in the final stretch of the game as a block by Saelua and Alexa Bonato (Woodbridge, Conn.) sealed the win, 25-20.
It was a back-and-forth second set as the teams stayed within three points of one another the entire set. The 16th point would be the turning point as Emerson tied the game and then scored three points to take a lead that they would not relinquish. Springfield looked to comeback late as a kill from Saelua sparked three straight points to tie it at 23 but the Lions were able to score the final two points to get the win.
After being down early, a 6-0 run from Springfield highlighted by kills from Sophie Chevalier (Charlton, N.Y.), Bonato and Saelua gave the Pride an 8-5 lead. Another kill from Saelua and two errors from the Lions allowed Springfield to add to the lead, 14-8 as the Pride pushed ahead and a kill from Ahunna James (Plainville, Mass.) gave the Pride the 25-20 win.
The Lions jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the fourth set, but allowed Springfield to get back into the game as another attack error tied it at 16. Both teams traded points as Emerson was able to pull it out, to force a fifth set, 26-24. Emerson dominated the final set as a block and kill from Rachel Dickerson in the final two points would allow the Lions to win it 15-11.
Springfield will head to Wheaton (Mass.) on Wednesday for a conference matchup at 7:00 pm.
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