Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College volleyball team ran into a buzzsaw in the form of undefeated and nationally ranked Springfield College on Tuesday evening, falling to the Pride 3-0 (15-25, 19-25, 14-25).  The Pioneers drop to 6-7, and 1-4 in the NEWMAC, and Springfield, who checked in at No. 20 in the most recent American Volleyball Coaches Association Poll, improved to 17-0 and 5-0 in NEWMAC play.

The Pride opened up a 12-7 lead to take the first set 25-15, but Smith made a game of it in the second, staying within 17-16 before the Pride ended the set on a 8-3 run to take it 25-19. 

In the third set, Smith took an 8-7 lead, but the Pride came back to take an 11-9 lead that forced Smith into a timeout.  Springfield pulled away, finishing the set on a 14-5 run to take the set 25-14.

The Pioneers struggled, hitting -.034 for the match.  Kristi Hammond (Yona, Guam/St. Johns School) led the way with four kills and hit .273, while Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) had six kills and eight digs.  Hayley Bezubka (N. Kingstown, R.I./N. Kingstown) had 18 assists, and Bethany Ashworth (North Falmouth, Mass./Bourne) had 16 digs.

Lauren Torvi led Springfield with 12 kills and five blocks, while Tessa Smolisnki had eight kills and eight digs.  Molly Giannattasio had 16 assists, and Whitney Miller had nine assists.  Itza Nieves had seven digs.

The Pioneers will next be in action over the weekend, playing in the Seven Sisters Championship at Wellesley College on October 8-9.  The Pioneers will faceoff with Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, Vassar, and Bryn Mawr.  Springfield will be at home, hosting the Tom Hay Invitational with Plymouth State, New Paltz State, Westfield State, and Stevens Tech on October 7-8.