Box Score Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Fran Vandermeer earned her first win as Smith College head coach as her volleyball team beat Western New England University 3-1 (16-25, 26-24, 25-17, 25-15) on Tuesday evening.  It was the Pioneers' first match of the season, and the first win over Western New England since the year 2000.

The Golden Bears, who were making their home debut, took the opening set 25-16 before the Pioneers came back to take the next three games by the scores of 26-24, 25-17, and 25-15.

Sophomore Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth) piled up 21 kills and 10 digs, complemented by 11 kills and 10 digs by junior Blair Bell (Upper Montclair, N.J./Montclair Kimberly).  Another sophomore, Bethany Ashworth (North Falmouth, Mass./Bourne) notched a season high 16 digs and classmate Hayley Bezubka (N. Kingstown, R.I./N. Kingstown) paced the offense with 17 assists.

Smith will return to Northampton for their home opener with a tri-match against Elms College and Curry College on Saturday, September 10.  Smith will face Curry at 11 a.m., and Elms at 3 p.m.