Smith College Athletics

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Sophomore Amy Hagen (Owings, Md./Northern) totaled a game-high 18 kills as the Smith College volleyball team dropped a 3-1 (25-16, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22) decision to Western New England University Wednesday evening. The Pioneers move to 3-16 overall, while the Golden Bears are now 8-12 on the year.

NOTABLE

• In addition to Hagen's 18 kills, the outside hitter added seven digs.
• Junior Kimani Freeman (Newark, N.J./Montclair Kimberly Academy) finished with 28 assists and 10 digs.
• Junior Jody Huang (Cranston, R.I./Cranston) recorded 17 digs.

HOW IT HAPPENED

With the opening set tied 6-6, Western New England took control with five straight points that included two aces by freshman Caleigh McDermott to open up an 11-6 cushion. Smith was able to eventually close the gap to three (19-16) later in the frame, but the Golden Bears won the final six points to close out the set.

Smith raced out to a 10-6 lead in the second set, and the Pioneers didn't trail until a service error gave Western New England a 16-15 edge midway through the frame. Leading by the same margin (20-19) later in the set, the Golden Bears again finished strong with a 5-1 run to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Pioneers pulled ahead towards the end of the closely contested third set, eventually opening up a 22-18 advantage on an attack error by Ferguson. The Golden Bears pulled to within two points (24-22), but a service error ended the frame in favor of Smith.

Western New England established a 9-4 lead in the fourth set, but Smith battled back to close to within one (17-16). The Golden Bears utilized a 4-0 run that featured three kills from Holmes, however, to gain some separation. The Pioneers again fought back, but their late rally came up short as Western New England clinched the win with a 25-22 result.

UP NEXT
The Pioneers host Coast Guard on Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m.

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.