Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PLYMOUTH, N.H.--Playing two of the top three teams in the Little East Conference, the Smith College volleyball team fell to Keene State College and Plymouth State University in the Little East/NEWMAC Challenge on Saturday. Against the Owls (17-9), who have been to the postseason three of the past four years, Smith battled to take the second set in a 3-1 (10-25, 27-25, 14-25, 7-25) defeat. 

Senior Laurel Belton (San Bernardino, Calif./Aquinas) led the way with eight kills, and two service aces, while Courtney Faria (Pocasset, Mass./Bourne) turned in a fine all around performance with 16 assists and 14 digs.  Rebecca Gordon also had two solo blocks for Smith (1-16).

Facing off against the Panthers for the second time this season, Smith fell 3-0 (17-25, 18-25, 20-25). 

Gordon and Blair Bell (Upper Montclair, N.J./Montclair Kimberly) each crushed six kills, while notching a solo block and a block assist.  Gordon also added three aces.

Faria notched her fifth game of 20 assists or more this season with 20, and Hayley Bezubka (N. Kingstown, R.I./N. Kingstown) had 10 digs, her fourth game with at least that many in her rookie campaign.

Smith will return to NEWMAC play with a home tilt vs. Mt. Holyoke, starting at 7 p.m. on October 19.