Box Score WEST HARTFORD, CONN. -  The Smith College volleyball team defeated Division I University of Hartford in a close 3-0 battle on Friday evening. The Pioneers held the edge 25-22, 25-23, 25-22 against the Hawks. Smith improves to a record of 14-6 while University of Hartford drops to 1-17.

Highlights

• Smith began with a strong 7-3 lead until Hartford earned back-to-back points to bring the score to 7-5
• The Pioneers continued to maintain the advantage Abby Sweeney (Spring, Texas/Klein) and Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) blocked a Hawks attack, shifting the score to 14-8
• Smith retained the edge until Hartford tied the Pioneers 19-19 for the first time in the match 
• The two teams kept each other close, resulting in a 22-22 tie, until Smith pulled away taking the first set 25-22
• Hartford began the second round with an early 7-4 edge until the Pioneers posted a four-point run to take the lead 8-7
• After the Hawks brought the score back to a tie at 8-8, Smith went 5-1 to claim the lead 13-9
• The two teams exchanged leads until the end of the second set was in sight at a 23-23 tie
• Ultimately Smith prevailed 25-23 to claim victory of the second set
• The final frame saw a significant 12-5 lead from the Pioneers until Hartford inched their way to a slight 15-13 setback
• Smith proceeded with a five-point run, capped off with a block by Poehlmann and Abby Hunt (Mandeville, La./Fontainebleau)
• The Hawks responded with a 7-0 run to bring the score to a 20-20 tie
• Smith finished off the final round with a 25-22 advantage to claim the 3-0 victory over Hartford

Notes

• Abby Sweeney (Spring, Texas/Klein) and Abby Hunt (Mandeville, La./Fontainebleau) led the Pioneers, both notching 10 kills each in the match
• Smith libero Gabby Beckman (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) totaled 20 digs 
• First-year setter Sophia Padilla (Fontana, Calif./Saint Lucy's Priory) produced a career-high 32 assists
• Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) dominated in the Smith defense, posting seven blocks
• The Pioneers hit .159 for the match

Up Next
The Pioneers host Oneonta and Worcester State University in a trimatch. Smith goes up against Oneonta at 1 pm and Worcester State at 5 pm. Oneonta and Worcester State face off at 3 pm.

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.