Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (16-25, 24-26, 22-25) loss to Brandeis University in the opening round of the 20th Annual Volleyball Hall of Fame Tournament.  It was the eighth straight loss for Smith, who fell to 7-15, while Brandeis snapped a 13 game losing skid to improve to 8-15.

With the first set tied at five, the Judges went on an 9-2 run that boosted their lead to 14-7.  Out of the timeout, Smith cut the lead to 17-15, but that was as close as Smith would get as Brandeis scored eight of the next nine points to close out the first set 25-16.

The next set also saw the teams tied at five, but the Pioneers inched out to a 10-9 lead, and when the advantage grew to 15-12, the Judges called timeout.  The stoppage in play did nothing to slow the Pioneers, who upped their lead to 18-13, but Brandeis rallied to tie the set at 20 with a 7-2 run.  Smith took back the lead at 23-20, but the Judges scored six of the final seven points to take the first set 26-24.

The Judges opened up the final set with a 6-1 lead, but Smith rallied to close within 11-10, where Brandeis was forced to call timeout.  A 5-0 run for Brandeis moved the lead back to 16-11, but Smith would rally again, tying the score at 17, and moved in front with two more points to take a 19-18 lead.  Brandeis came back to take the lead for good at 21-20, and finished the set with four of the final six points to close out the match 25-22.

Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) led the way with 15 kills, 12 digs, and a service ace, while Courtney Faria (Pocasset, Mass./Bourne) had 12 assists.  Bethany Ashworth (North Falmouth, Mass./Bourne) tossed in 10 digs for Smith.

Smith will take on Bridgewater State University at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, and Westfield State University at 2 p.m.  Brandeis will take on Amherst College at noon, and Bowdoin at 2 p.m.  All the matches will take place on the campus of Smith College.