SCRANTON, Pa. - The Smith College volleyball team competed in Day Two of the Scranton Invitational, dropping matches to Swarthmore (3-1) and hosts Scranton (3-2). 

With the losses, the Pioneers shift to 0-3 on the season while Swarthmore improves to 3-0 and Scranton moves to 1-2. 

Swarthmore Highlights

• Smith jumped out to an early 12-5 lead capped off by a kill from Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau).
• The two teams exchanged points until a four-point run by Swarthmore left them just behind the Pioneers 21-20.
• Smith responded with a four-point run securing the first set after a successful block by Sarah Dankovich (El Paso, TX/Coronado), finishing the set 25-20.
• The Swarthmore Garnets captured an early 10-2 lead, maintaining the edge for the entire set.
• Despite Smith's effort, the Garnets claimed the second set finishing 25-19.
• Swarthmore used their momentum from the second set posting a 15-3 lead.
• Ultimately the Garnets claimed the third second and their second of the morning with a staggering 25-7 victory.
• Swarthmore began the fourth set with a four-point run however the Pioneers immediately responded with a five-point streak to secure a slight 5-4 edge.
• The two teams continued to trade points while Smith maintained the lead until a four-point run captured the 15-14 lead for Swarthmore.
• The Garnets sustained the advantage for the remainder of the set finishing just ahead of the Pioneers 25-22 and claiming the 3-1 victory over Smith.
• Graduate player Meg Hopkins (Matthews, NC/Covenant Day School) led the Pioneers with 20 assists and eight digs
• Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) led the Smith attack tallying eight kills and seven digs 

  
Scranton Highlights 

• Both teams began the first set exchanging points, never exceeding more than a three-point lead until Scranton posted a 7-1 run and securing a 16-11 lead.
• The Pioneers pushed to surpass the Royals however Scranton was able to finish the first set ahead 25-21.
• Smith jumped out to an early lead in the second set establishing a 7-2 advantage capped off with a kill by Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau). 
• With the Pioneers ahead 9-5 Scranton dished out an aggressive offense producing an 11-2 run to claim a 16-11 edge.  
• The Royals continued their strong momentum claiming their second set of the night ahead of Smith 25-20.
• Smith's journey was not over yet as a four-point run notched a 7-4 lead for the Pioneers which they maintained for the entire set finishing ahead 25-16 and invoking a fourth set.
• In the fourth set Smith was ahead 15-10 hoping to continue to pull away from Scranton. 
• The Royals' strong offense attempted to close the gap but the Pioneers were ultimately able to claim the fourth set with a narrow 25-23 win. 
• The Pioneers posted a strong start in the final set looking to claim the victory at 14-11 however a five-point run from Scranton left the Royals victorious at 16-14.
• Sarah Dankovich (El Paso, TX/Coronado) led the Pioneer attack totaling 21 kills (hitting .182) and 12 digs  
• Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) posted 15 kills and 12 digs 
• Meg Hopkins (Matthews, NC/Covenant Day School) recorded an impressive 43 assists and 15 digs
• Ruth Tullis (Edmond, OK/Oklahoma Christian School) notched a career-high 21 digs 

Up Next
The Pioneers will face Amherst College in an away contest on Wednesday, September 6 for a 7pm match.

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.