New York, NY — The Smith College volleyball team was defeated by Ithaca College in a competitive match on Saturday afternoon at the John A. Paulson Center. Smith couldn't overcome Ithaca's strong offense, falling 3-0 (29-27, 25-20, 25-21).

Highlights:

• The match began with Smith coming out strong, driven by key contributions from Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) and Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay), both of whom helped Smith build an early 9-6 lead.
• Sweeney registered multiple kills while Etheridge added two service aces during this stretch. Ithaca responded quickly leveling the score at 12-12 after a series of strong attacks and blocks.
• As the teams battled back and forth, Smith briefly regained the lead at 16-13, following a pair of critical blocks from Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) and Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University).
• Ithaca continued to push finding success on the outside bringing them within one at 21-20.
• Smith had multiple chances to close out the first set, holding a 27-26 advantage after a kill by Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau), but  Ithaca ended up taking the set 29-27.
• In the second set, Ithaca's momentum continued they delivered two early service aces ahead.
• Smith fought back, with kills from Sweeney, tying the score at 15-15.
•  A late push from Smith was not enough as Ithaca took the set 25-20. 
• The third set was another intense affair. Both teams traded points early, with Gwynne orchestrating the offense and Etheridge landing several timely kills.
• Smith managed to pull ahead 14-12 after a service ace by Gwynne, but Ithaca quickly responded, tying the match at 16-16.
• Smith's Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) and Sweeney kept Smith in the game with late kills, but Ithaca closed out the match, taking the third set 25-21.

Box Score:

• Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) led Smith with 13 kills on a .500 hitting percentage.
• Taylor Gwynne (Chapel HIll, NC/Carrborro) finished with 31 assists and 5 digs.
• Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) added 11 kills and 2 blocks.

Up Next:
Smith returns to NEWMAC play on Tuesday evening as they travel down the road to Springfield to take on Springfield College. The match will take place at 7pm. 

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.