Cambridge, MA — On Sunday afternoon,  the Smith College volleyball team defeated top-seeded MIT in a five-set epic (25-17, 21-25, 25-21, 16-25, 15-11) at Rockwell Cage. With this victory, the Pioneers claimed their first conference title in over a decade and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. 

Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) and Taylor Gwynne (Chapel Hill, NC/Carrborro) were named the NEWMAC Tournament Co-Most Outstanding Players. Smith set a new program record with 30 wins this season. 

Match Highlights

• Smith set the tone early, establishing a 12-6 lead behind Abby Hunt's (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) four kills and Taylor Gwynne's (Chapel Hill, NC/Carrborro) sharp playmaking.
• Gwynne's clever dumps kept MIT guessing, and Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) delivered back-to-back blocks to halt MIT's momentum.
• With Sarah Dankovich (El Paso, TX/Coronado) serving an ace to extend the lead to 20-14, Smith maintained control.
• A perfectly executed quick attack from Gwynne to Hunt closed the set at 25-17.In the first set, Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) reached ,1000 career kills. 
• MIT responded with a strong performance in the second set, but Smith remained competitive throughout.
• Down 15-11, Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) recorded three consecutive kills to narrow the gap. Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) added a key block to tie the set at 19-19, but MIT capitalized on Smith errors late to secure the 25-21 win.
• Smith came out swinging in the third set, building an 8-3 lead with Hunt and Sweeney combining for five kills in the opening stretch.
• Gwynne kept the offense balanced, allowing Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) to contribute two aces and Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis) to deliver a key block that pushed the lead to 18-13.
• Despite a brief MIT rally, Dankovich's pinpoint serving and a clutch kill from Etheridge sealed the set 25-21, giving Smith a 2-1 edge.
• MIT controlled the fourth set early, but Smith's defense kept them within striking distance.
• Oakes recorded two blocks, and Dankovich had six digs in a critical stretch, but MIT's aggressive serving gave them a decisive edge, winning 25-16 and forcing a fifth set.
• The final set was a battle of will, and Smith rose to the occasion.
• Hunt dominated the net with three kills in the first eight points, propelling Smith to an 8-3 lead at the switch.
• Gwynne's service ace stretched the lead to 11-7, but MIT clawed back to within one at 11-10. A timely block by Oakes  shifted the momentum, and a final block from Gwynne set up Smith to win their first NEWMAC Championship since 2005.

Box Score:

• Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) led Smith with 18 kills, 13 digs, and 2 aces, dominating in critical moments.
• Taylor Gwynne (Chapel Hill, NC/Carrborro) directed the offense with 47 assists and added 8 digs. 
• Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) recorded 16 kills and 3 blocks with a stellar .387 hitting percentage.
• Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) anchored the defense with 7 blocks and added 7 kills.

Up Next 

Smith now turns its attention to the NCAA Tournament, entering with confidence and momentum after a historic NEWMAC Championship win. The NCAA Selection Show will be at 1pm tomorrow where Smith will fond out their next destination. 

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.