ELMIRA, NY. - The Smith College volleyball team swept both SUNY-Canton and Elmira College in their two matches at the Elmira Invitational on Saturday afternoon. Smith begins the season with a 4-0 record after the first weekend for their best start in a season since 2013. 

Highlights

• Smith beat SUNY-Canton 3-0 during the first match of the afternoon. More information to follow. 

• In the next match, against Elmira College, it was a back and forth battle with the Soaring Eagles, as Elmira  started with a 8-5 run before Elmira battled back to tie the game 9-9. 

• Smith would take the 14-11 lead later in the first set, and continue to push to the finish line as Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis) went on a six point serving run which included three service aces. Smith would win the set 25-15.

• In the second set, Ari Cross (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King) would total four kills and one service ace to lead Smith in points for the set as they won the second set 25-15. 

• For the third set, Smith would continue to put their foot on the gas as Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis) and Cross combined for nine kills in the 3rd set as Smith outpaced the Soaring Eagles. 

• Smith finished out the match, outscoring Elmira 25-10 in the final set. 

Notes

• In the second match, Smith had a balanced attack with Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis) and Ari Cross (Milwaukee, WI/Rufus King) leading the way with nine and eleven kills respectively. Teske also contributed to the point scoring with five service aces. Cross also contributed on the defensive end leading the team in digs with 12. 

• Ruby Woodward paced the offense with 19 assists. 

• Smith start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2013 when they started that season 5-0 en route to a 23-9 record that season. 

Up Next

Smith resumes competition in the SUNY - Cobleskill Invitational on Friday, September 6th at 7 pm against SUNY - Potsdam.