NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--Smith College will co-host the 20th annual Volleyball Hall of Fame Tournament with Mount Holyoke College on October 21-22. The tournament features 16 of New England's top volleyball squads. Smith (7-14) will face Brandeis University (7-15) on Friday, October 21 at 5 p.m., followed by matchups with Bridgewater State University (8-16) at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, and Westfield State University (10-17) at 2 p.m.
Last Meeting (Brandeis): The Judges swept Smith 3-0 (9-25, 12-25, 20-25) on October 24, 2009.
Last Smith Win (Brandeis): Smith started the season with a 3-0 (30-17, 30-28, 30-19) win over Brandeis on September 9, 2004.
Last Meeting (Bridgewater State): Smith earned a 3-0 sweep of the Bears, winning 25-20, 25-13, 25-16) on September 26, 2009.
Last Meeting (Westfield State): At this same tournament, the Owls eked out a 3-2 win over Smith (25-23, 22-25, 21-25, 25-21, 10-15) on October 22, 2010.
Last Smith Win (Westfield State): In a tri-match to open the year, Smith beat Westfield State 3-0 (25-13, 27-25, 26-24) on September 6, 2008.
Smith Overview: The Pioneers lost a tough 3-2 match to Mount Holyoke on October 18, having rallied to twice tie the match before falling in the fifth set. Smith has now lost seven consecutive matches, having not won since a 3-0 win over Mount Holyoke at the Seven Sisters Championship on October 8.
Brandeis Overview: The Judges have found it tough going of late, having dropped 13 consecutive matches, including 11 by 3-0 scores. It should be noted, however, that Brandeis has played several nationally ranked teams, including No. 2 Emory, No. 3 Washington-St. Louis, and No. 16 University of Chicago. Brandeis is a young team, with only one junior and no seniors on the squad.
Bridgewater State Overview: Bridgewater State is carrying a six game losing skid into the tournament. Despite the losing streak, the Bears have rebounded by going 8-8 after losing their first eight matches of the year. The Bears will open the tournament with Colby College at 7 p.m.. on Friday evening.
Westfield State Overview: The only team in this group coming into the tournament off a win, Westfield State currently leads the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) with a 4-0 conference record. The Owls have a small oddity in their schedule, having played five different teams twice, including Keene State, Plymouth State, Springfield, Western Connecticut, and Rhode Island College this season. The Owls open the tournament with Tufts University on Friday at 5 p.m. at Mount Holyoke.
Smith Player to Watch: Paige Sarlandt (Cloverdale, Calif./Cloverdale) leads the team with 20 solo blocks, 28 block assists, and is third with 22 service aces.
Brandeis Player to Watch: Freshman Liz Hood has piled up 228 kills for the Judges.
Bridgewater State Player to Watch: Melanie Appleman has 401 assists for Bridgewater State, 79% of her team's total.
Westfield State Player to Watch: Julia Warner is one of three Owls with at least 200 digs, but leads the pack with 262 this season.
Did you know? There are only five conferences represented at this tournament - the New England Women's and Men's (NEWMAC), the University Athletic Association, the New England Small College (NESCAC), the Massachusetts State College (MASCAC), and the Commonwealth Coast.
