NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- It was a thrilling home opener for the Smith College volleyball team as they hosted the second annual Bonnie May Invitational. The Pioneers claimed their first season victory over Lasell, 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-8), before defeating Elmira 3-0 (25-8, 25-19, 25-21). 

Highlights vs Lasell

• Trailing 15-10 in the first set, the Pioneers posted a 6-1 run to tie Lasell 16-16.
• The Lasers responded with a kill from Emily VanHouten before the Pioneers delivered another 6-1 run capped off by a service ace from Ari Cross (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King).
• Lasell notched two more points until Smith collected the last three points finishing off with a block by Anna Feuer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) and Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis). 
• Tied at 10-10 in the second set, the Pioneers registered a 6-1 run to claim the 16-11 edge.
• Smith continued to increase the lead finishing the final set 25-19 after a service ace from Cross.
• In the third set the Pioneers jumped out to an early 9-3 lead.
• After a brief exchange of points with Smith ahead 13-7, the Pioneers produced a dominating 12-1 run to claim the final set 25-8 and earn the 3-0 victory.
• Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis) finished the night with a match-high nine kills (.375) while Sarah Dankovich (El Paso, TX/Coronado) (.350) posted eight.
• Meg Hopkins (Matthews, NC/Covenant Day School) led the Pioneers with 14 assists and nine digs while Nathalie Pak (Lexington, MA/Lexington) recorded 13 assists. 
• Smith produced an average hitting percentage of .279

 

Highlights vs Elmira

• With Smith ahead 5-3 early in the first set, the Pioneers delivered an impressive 12-1 run to gain a significant 17-4 advantage. 
• The Pioneers continued to cruise ahead of Elmira finishing the first set 25-8 after a kill from Meg Hopkins (Matthews, NC/Covenant Day School).
• Tied at 6-6 in the second set, Smith pulled away with a 7-2 run to claim a 13-8 edge over the Soaring Eagles.
• Elmira attempted to close the gap, trailing by two points at 19-17 before the Pioneers dished out the final push to claim the second set 25-19.
• Tied at 8-8 in the third set of the evening, Smith pulled away with a 10-1 run to gain a significant 18-9 lead.
• Elmira continued to push until the Pioneers were at match point, 24-15.
• A final six-point run from the Soaring Eagles attempted to close the gap but a kill from Ari Cross (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King) finished the night 25-21 and claimed the 3-0 victory for Smith.
• Ari Cross (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King) led the Pioneers attack with eight kills (.333).
• Nathalie Pak (Lexington, MA/Lexington) posted 12 assists while Ruth Tullis (Edmond, OK/Oklahoma Christian School) led the Smith defense with eight digs. 
• The Pioneers finished the night averaging .309.

Up Next
The Pioneers will host Day Two of the Bonnie May Invitational tomorrow on Saturday, September 9. The first match for Smith will be at 11am against Westfield State and the second match will be against Redlands at 3pm. 

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.