Northampton, MA — On Tuesday afternoon, Smith College volleyball battled to a 3-1 victory (25-19, 25-20, 17-25, 25-22) against Wellesley at Ainsworth Gymnasium. Smith's balanced attack, strong serving, and cohesive defense powered them to a 28-6 overall record and 9-2 in NEWMAC play, allowing them to advance to NEWMAC Semifinals for the second time in three years. 

Match Highlights

• Smith started with intensity, taking a quick 8-4 lead as Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) delivered three consecutive kills.
• Taylor Gwynne (Chapel Hill, NC/Carrborro) kept Wellesley guessing with varied sets, allowing Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) to land two crucial cross-court kills, pushing the lead to 17-12.
• A final kill from Hunt sealed the set 25-19, giving Smith the opening advantage.
• Smith's defense took center stage in the second set, with Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) and Anna Feuer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) combining for three blocks in a critical stretch that kept Wellesley from gaining momentum.
• With the score tied at 15-15, Etheridge served two aces in a row to give Smith a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
• Gwynne's setting helped create high-percentage opportunities, and Abby Sweeney's (Spring, TX/Klein) powerful kill closed the set at 25-20.
• Wellesley rebounded in the third set, but Smith put up a fight.
• Despite some hitting errors, Dankovich anchored Smith's defense with five digs, while Etheridge chipped in with four kills.
• Down 22-15, Smith rallied to narrow the gap, but Wellesley held on to win 25-17, extending the match.
• Smith came out strong in the fourth set, with Hunt serving two aces to establish a quick 5-2 lead.
• The set remained close, with 10 ties as both teams traded points.
• At 21-21, Gwynne set up Sweeney for a critical kill that energized the team.
• Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis) followed with a decisive block, and gave Smith the 25-22 win and match victory.

Box Score:

• Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) dominated with 16 kills and five aces. 
• Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) contributed 13 kills and three aces.
• Taylor Gwynne (Chapel Hill, NC/Carrborro) tallied 34 assists and led the offense to a .244 hitting percentage. 
• Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) recorded four blocks, providing strong front-row defense.

Up Next:

Smith will head to Cambridge as they face off against Springfield College on Saturday afternoon. Smith lost 3-1 to Springfield earlier this season at Springfield.