NORTHAMPTON, Mass.--The Smith College volleyball team (4-6, 1-2 NEWMAC) returns to the friendly confines of Ainsworth Gym for the first time in three weeks when the Pioneers play host to Wheaton College (5-9, 1-2 NEWMAC) on Tuesday night.


Last Meeting: On September 20, 2011, Smith went to Norton and came out with a 3-2 (22-25, 25-18, 26-24, 22-25, 15-9) victory  over the Lyons. Smith was powered by 11 kills and .474 hitting from Becca Gordon (West Hartford, Conn./Hall), and Rosa Drummond (Rye, N.H./Portsmouth)'s career high 26 kills. 

Smith Overview: Smith is coming off a 2-2 weekend at the MIT Invitational this past weekend.  Smith defeated Newbury College and Simmons College, and fell to Colby College and Tufts University.

Wheaton Overview:  The Lyons have already won more matches this year than all of last season, when they went 4-27 over and winless in NEWMAC play.  Wheaton split a tri-match this past weekend, falling to Salve Regina and beating Lesley.
 
Smith Player to Watch: Blair Bell (Upper Montclair, N.J./Montclair Kimberly) had nine kills, 33 digs, and four service aces in a conference win over Clark, as Smith beat the Cougars for the first time in five years.  She also added eight kills and 10 digs in a 3-0 win over Simmons College at the MIT Invitational.

Wheaton Player to Watch: The Lyons feature a lineup with eight freshmen, including setter Page Gustofsonm, who has 172 assists through 13 matches.

Did you know? The last year Smith won multiple league matches was 2009, when the Pioneers finished with the sixth seed in the NEWMAC, and advanced to the league tournament.