NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College volleyball team (2-4) will conclude a string of nine games away from Ainsworth Gym when the Pioneers take part in the MIT Invitational on September 21-22.  Smith will matchup with Newbury College (5-5) and Tufts University (4-2) on Friday evening, and Colby College (5-0) and Simmons College (7-5) on Saturday.

Note:  Though this is the MIT Invitational, no matches will be played on MIT's campus due to the inauguration of new MIT president L. Rafael Reif.  Smith's matches will be played at Tufts University on Friday, and at Endicott College on Saturday.  For the full tournament website, please click here.

Last Meeting (Newbury): This is the first meeting between the schools.

Last Meeting (Tufts): Smith matched up with the Jumbos on September 23, 2011 at this same tournament.  Tufts took the match 3-0 (13-25, 16-25, 9-25).

Last Smith Win (Tufts): October 24, 2003 - the second of two meetings this season, Smith earned a 3-1 (30-27, 30-24, 25-30, 30-24) over Tufts at the Hall of Fame Invitational. 

Last Meeting (Colby):  In the 2010 edition of this tournament, Smith rallied from 2-0 down to force a fifth set, but fell to the Mules 3-2 (18-25, 16-25, 25-18, 25-22, 13-15).

Last Smith Win (Colby): The Pioneers earned their second win of the 2007 MIT Invitational with a 3-0 win over the Mules on September 22, 2007.

Last Meeting (Simmons): Just a week ago, the Sharks edged out Smith 3-2 (28-26, 15-25, 18-25, 25-19, 13-15).

Last Smith Win (Simmons): Smith has never beaten Simmons.

Smith Overview:  Smith ended a three game losing skid with a 3-1 (25-17, 25-14, 21-25, 25-23) win over Clark University on Tuesday night.  It was the first time in five years that Smith had beaten the Cougars.

Newbury Overview: After a hot start to the season, the Nighthawks have lost four of five, with the only win being a 3-0 victory over Albertus Magnus at a tri-match held at Norwich University.  Newbury had won four of five to start the year.

Tufts Overview: The Jumbos have alternated wins and losses in the last four, including league games against Trinity (a 3-0 loss) and Amherst (a 3-1 win).   Tufts opened the year at the Brandeis Invitational, with wins over Rhode Island College, Brandeis, and Babson.

Colby Overview: Colby has not lost yet this season, having swept all opposition at their own invitational, and earned a 3-1 league win over Hamilton College. This will be the first action in a week for the Mules, whose matchup against Bowdoin College was postponed due to a facility issue.

Simmons Overview: The Sharks have won four of five, after alternating wins and losses in their first eight games.  Simmons has played one of their last seven at home.

Smith Player to Watch:  Mei-Li Smith (Cypress, Calif./Cypress) turned in another great performance with 14 assists, 10 kills (hitting .280) and 21 digs against Clark.

Newbury Player to Watch: Sydney Fish is hitting .325 and is averaging 3.35 kills per set.

Tufts Player to Watch: Kendall Lord leads the team with 205 assists and is second with 55 digs.

Colby Player to Watch: The Mules' Lily Kramlich-Taylor is hitting .405, with just eight errors on 79 attacks.

Simmons Player to Watch: Kelly Last is tops on the squad with 2.73 digs per game.

Did you know? The last year Smith did not participate in the MIT Invitational was 2002.