NORTHAMPTON, Mass. - An electric atmosphere in Ainsworth Gymnasium was not enough as the Smith College volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to Springfield College Tuesday evening in a thrilling New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) match. The Pride won by set scores 25-12, 25-17, 21-25 and 25-20

Match Highlights
Set 1 - Springfield inched out to a 6-4 lead and later strung together a 9-0 run which resulted in a 23-10 advantage. Both teams exchanged points before the visitors clinched the set on a kill from Natalie Billet.

Set 2 - The beginning of the second was back and forth before a 7-1 run for the Pride put them ahead 13-7. The Pioneers responded and would get as close as 23-17 but Springfield would ultimately go up 2-0

Set 3 - Smith rallied and jumped out to a 14-9 lead on a kill from Fiona Hegarty (Tustin, Calif./Foothill). Springfield would come to within 20-19 but the Pioneers scored five of the last seven points to get on the board

Set 4 - Smith took an early lead but Springfield used a 6-0 run to go up 9-7. The Pioneers kept it close throughout the entire set and would stay within striking distance. The Pride scored four of the final five points to take the match, 3-1.

By the Numbers

• Kinsey Cronin (Medford, Minn./Medford) and nine kills and five blocks for the Pioneers while Ava Zollinger (Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep) finished with eight kills
• Nathalie Pak (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) dished out 22 assists
• Gabby Beckman (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) totaled 13 digs

Up Next
Smith welcomes Babson and Plymouth State for a tri-match on Saturday, October 30 to close out the regular season.