Cambridge, MA — On Saturday afternoon, the Smith College volleyball team staged a stunning comeback, defeating Springfield College 3-2 (23-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-23, 15-10) in the NEWMAC Championship semifinal at Rockwell Cage. After falling behind two sets, Smith rallied with resilience and teamwork to claim a spot in the final tomorrow. This was the first time Smith Volleyball had beat Springfield, with the last time coming in 2005. 

Match Highlights

• Springfield narrowly claimed the first set 25-23, but Smith pushed them to the limit. Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) got Smith off to a strong start with three early kills, and Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) added a service ace to give Smith a 12-9 lead.
• Springfield battled back to tie the score at 20-20, despite Dankovich's heroic defensive digs during a key rally.
• Springfield capitalized on two late Smith errors to take the set.
• Smith started the second set aggressively, with Etheridge landing back-to-back kills and Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) delivering a powerful block for a 10-7 lead.
• Springfield responded with a 5-0 run, taking advantage of Smith's brief lapse in serve receive.
• Gwynne orchestrated a late push, setting up Hunt and Sweeney for clutch kills to close the gap to 22-23, but Springfield's consistent offense held on for a 25-22 victory.
• With their season on the line, Smith clawed back to win the third set 26-24 in dramatic fashion.
• Down 22-24, Smith fended off two set points, with Feuer and Oakes combining for a momentum-changing block.
• Gwynne's quick set to Etheridge tied the match at 24-24, and Dankovich delivered a well-placed ace to take the lead. Hunt's precise kill down the line sealed the set, keeping Smith alive.
• The fourth set showcased Smith's resilience, as they battled to a 25-23 win.
• The teams traded points early, but Hunt delivered three consecutive kills during a pivotal stretch, putting Smith up 16-14.
• Springfield tied the score at 23-23, but Etheridge responded with a cross-court winner. On the next rally, Sweeney's block at the net forced a deciding fifth set, electrifying the Smith bench.
• Smith dominated the final set with aggressive serving and a balanced attack, jumping out to an early 10-5 lead.
• Gwynne's smart setting allowed Hunt and Teske to deliver consecutive kills during a critical run.
• Dankovich kept Springfield at bay with two diving digs in a long rally that ended in a kill by Etheridge. At match point, Hunt took one final swing sealing the set 15-10 and completing Smith's thrilling comeback.

Box Score:

• Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) shone with 22 kills, a .462 hitting percentage, and 13 digs.
• Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) contributed 16 kills, four blocks, and five digs.
• Taylor Gwynne (Chapel Hill, NC/Carrborro) controlled the offense with 44 assists, three aces, and six digs.
• Anna Feuer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) anchored the net defense with 10 block assists, playing a crucial role in the win.
• Sarah Dankovich (El Paso, TX/Coronado) excelled on defense with 16 digs and two service aces at pivotal moments.