NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Smith College volleyball split a tri-match with host Connecticut College and Williams College Saturday afternoon at the Luce FIeld House. The Pioneers came up short against Williams, 3-2, before pulling out a 3-2 win over Connecticut College later in the day.
Smith 2, Williams 3 (24-26, 26-28, 25-7, 26-24, 15-11)
In the determining fifth set, Smith started out with a 6-1 lead after capitalizing on Williams errors. However, the Ephs Williams were determined to utilize the momentum they had created from the previous two sets and battled Smith for each point. The Ephs mounted a comeback and tied the set at 9-9 led by two kills from Erin Denham. Both teams traded points until a kill from Lydia Kurtz gave the Ephs the 12-11 lead. From here, the Ephs never surrendered another point and claimed the set, 15-11, and the match.
Stars of the Match
1. First-year Ava Zollinger (Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep) finished with 10 kills
2. Clasmate Evi Evgeniou (Thessaloniki, Greece/Pinewood International) totaled 33 assists
3. Defensively, Gabby Beckman (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) led the way with 19 digs
Smith 3, Connecticut College 2 (21-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-17, 15-11)
The Pioneers found a way to come from two sets down to defeat the Camels in another five-frame marathon to close out a long day in the gym.
The hosts scored three of the first four points in the deciding frame, but Smith answered with a 7-2 run that included a kill by Ava Zollinger (Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep) when it was time for the teams to switch sides. Connecticut College never came closer than three the rest of the way.
Stars of the Match
1. Junior Caleigh Johnson (Georgetown, Texas/St. Dominic Savio Catholic) contributed 11 kills, six blocks and five aces
2. Evgeniou produced 35 assists
3. Beckman finished with 22 digs
UP NEXT
Smith will honor its seniors against Mount Holyoke on Tuesday 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.
