ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Smith College volleyball team started the 2021 season going 1-1 in the first day of the Rochester Invitational Friday. The Pioneers beat the hosts Yellowjackets in five sets after falling to RIT in three.

Smith returns to action on the second day of the Rochester Invitational against Medaille at 11am.

Smith 0 RIT 3 (24-26, 18-25, 24-26)
Abby Sweeney (Spring, Tex./Klein) and Kinsey Cronin (Medford, Minn./Medford) paced the Pioneers nine kills apiece, while Nathalie Pak (Lexington, Mass./Lexington) finished with 16 assists. 

Tied at 24, back-to-back kills from RIT secured the opening set for the Tigers. A 6-0 run midway through the second set allowed RIT to pull away and go up 2-0. In the third, Smith rattled off eight consecutive points but it was not enough as the Tigers with a run of their own to close out the match. 

Smith 3 Rochester 2 (25-16, 22-25, 25-19, 17-25, 15-13)

The Pioneers pulled out a five-set thriller thanks to an impressive performance by Sweeney who finished with 18 kills, hitting .310. Pak totaled a career-high 41 assists as Beckman added 28 digs. Ava Zollinger (Orlando, Fla./Lake Highland Prep) had seven blocks, Sweeney added six, and Kinsey Cronin (Medford, Minn./Medford) had four. 

For the match, Smith hit .205 with 11 service aces.

Saturday Schedule (Sept. 4)
11am - Smith vs Medaille
1pm - Smith vs Buffalo State
Tournament Page

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.