New York, NY. – The Smith College volleyball team had a challenging day, facing off against top competitors at the John A. Paulson Center. The Pioneers fought valiantly but suffered defeats in both matches, falling to Trinity University (TX) in five sets and to NYU in four. Despite the setbacks, Smith showcased resilience and flashes of brilliance, now holding a record of 14-3 on the season. 

Highlights

• In the first set, Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) and Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) opened the set with early kills, helping Smith build a 5-2 lead.
• Taylor Gwynne's (Chapel HIll, NC/Carrborro) serving run, including a service ace, pushed Smith ahead 12-8.
• A kill by Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) from a set by Gwynne clinched the set at 26-24. 
• The second set started with a back and forth but Sarah Dankovich (El Paso, TX/Coronado) recorded a series of digs to keep Smith alive in long rallies, and Etheridge landed two consecutive kills, making it 10-5.
• Smith's block game, with Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) and Taylor Gwynne (Chapel HIll, NC/Carrborro), held strong to win 25-14.
• In the third set, Trinity turned the tide with aggressive attacking, taking advantage of Smith's errors to lead 18-16.
• A crucial block by Trinity's Maddie Fate on Hunt sealed Smith's loss of the set, 21-25.
• In the fourth set,  Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) started with an important kill, but Trinity's defense tightened, taking a 15-9 lead.
• Hunt and Etheridge's late efforts brought the Pioneers within striking distance, but Trinity held on for the 25-19 win. which led to an ultimate fifth set. 
• The fifth set began with Smith leading 6-4 after kills from Etheridge and Oakes.
• Trinity responded with back-to-back kills, bringing them level at 12-12.
• Despite an ace from Dankovich, Trinity won the final two points to take the set 16-14 and the match.
• In the second match of the evening, Smith started hot with a 9-7 lead after a kill by Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) and a well-placed ace by Gwynne.
• Dankovich's digs kept several rallies alive, and an ace by Etheridge made it 16-11 Smith lead halfway through the first.
• A late service run by NYU tied the set at 24-24, but Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) finished the set with a powerful kill to win it 27-25.
• Despite strong defensive efforts from Dankovich and blocks by Oakes, NYU's aggressive serving helped them claim the next set 25-19.
• In the third set, NYU went on a late 7-2 run, taking advantage of Smith's attack errors to win 25-20.The fourth set would prove to be just as challenging. 
• A block by Sweeney and Gwynne gave Smith some early momentum, tying the set at 7-7.
• However, NYU capitalized on Smith's inconsistent attacks and serving errors, pulling away for a 25-14 victory and securing the match for the Violets. 

Box Score

• Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) led the way for Smith through the two matches, totaling 24 kills. 
• Taylor Gwynne (Chapel HIll, NC/Carrborro) had 68 assists for Smith through the two games.

Up Next

Smith continues play Saturday afternoon at the John Paulson Center on the campus of New York University against Ithaca College at 1pm. 

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, and  Instagram.