Box Score NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College volleyball team fell to local opponent Amherst College 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-18) in a non-conference match on Wednesday evening at Ainsworth Gymnasium.  The Pioneers dip to 7-18 overall, while Amherst, ranked 10th in the latest New England Women's Volleyball Association Regional Poll, improves to 12-8.

In the opening set, the teams traded points, as Smith took a 7-6 lead on a kill by Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth), but Amherst responded with three straight points to take the lead.  Smith tied the game at 12, but the Jeffs were served up a five point advantage thanks to Emily Water house.  Another kill from Drummond pulled Smith within 23-19, but the Jeffs closed out the set with the final two points. 

The second set saw a similar opening, as the Jeffs opened up a 6-4 lead when Smith served out of bounds, and a 4-0 burst for Amherst forced the Pioneers into a timeout with the score at 15-9.  A kill from Becca Gordon (West Hartford, Conn./Hall) cut the deficit to 18-12, but Amherst scored seven of the final nine points for a 25-14 set win.  

The Pioneers raced out to a 5-1 lead in set three, thanks in part to Amherst's serve into the net, but the Jeffs responded with an 8-3 run to tie the set at 9-9.  Two straight points for Smith restored the Pioneers' lead at 11-9, only to see Amherst explode for a 9-2 run that led to a Smith timeout.  Amherst then tallied seven of the final 12 points to seal the win. 

Drummond led Smith with 11 kills, while Mei-Li Smith (Cypress, Calif./Cypress) had 15 assists, eight digs, and a solo block. 

The Pioneers will return to the court for the regular season's final match, against another regionally ranked opponent.  Smith will meet Wellesley College at 3 p.m.  A win and a Babson loss to Clark would give Smith the final berth in the NEWMAC tournament.  Amherst will head to Maine for a pair of NESCAC games against Colby and Bates.