MIDDLETOWN, Conn.--The Smith College squash team battled three of the nation's top 25 teams at the Wesleyan Invitational on Saturday, falling to No. 11 Middlebury, No. 18 George Washington, and No. 24 Connecticut College.

The final match of the day was the closest, as Smith earned wins at No. 1 and No. 2 against the Connecticut College Camels, and going to four sets in three others.  Meg Oliviero won at No. 1 over Laura Abrams in a five set thriller, dropping the first set 11-8 before winning sets two and three 14-12 and 11-6, respectively.  After Abrams came back to win the fourth set 14-12, Oliviero shut the door on the match in set five, 11-6.

Clair Oblamski (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield East) also won at No. 2, whitewashing Jenn Hyslip in three sets 11-6, 11-9, 11-8.  Jasmine Wallas (Nassau, Bahamas/Emma Willard (N.Y.)) fell in four sets at No. 3 4-11, 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, as did Jennifer Krain (Rosemont, Pa./Harriton) at No. 5.  Krain took the first set 13-11, before losing the last three 5-11, 6-11, 2-11.  Eunice Zhao (Las Vegas, Nev./Liberty) also went four sets at No. 8, falling 12-10, 5-11, 7-11, 9-11.  Catie Blunt (Boston, Mass./Commonwealth) went to extra points in two sets, falling at No. 9 9-11, 13-15, 11-9, 10-12.

In their first match against Middlebury, Smith fell 9-0 to the Panthers, who are undefeated on the year.  All nine matches were 3-0, with Jennifer Krain (Rosemont, Pa./Harriton) coming closest to winning a set at No. 5, falling 11-6, 11-1, 11-1.

Against the Hoyas, Smith also fell 9-0, with Oblamski having the best showing at No. 2, with a 10-12, 6-11, 5-11 defeat. 

The Wesleyan Invitational concludes tomorrow - Smith will play William Smith College at 9:30 am, followed by the hosts Wesleyan at 11 am.