Worcester, MA – Smith College volleyball continued their impressive form, defeating Clark University 3-1 (21-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-18) in a NEWMAC contest at Kneller Gymnasium. The win lifts Smith's record to 13-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Match Highlights

• Clark jumped out to a quick start in the opening set, taking advantage of Smith errors to build an early lead.Clark's Victoria Pastor notched several critical kills, while Smith struggled to find their rhythm.
• At 20-21, a service ace by Clark's Yvanna Torres forced Smith into a timeout, but Clark held on to win 25-21. 
• Smith rebounded immediately, fueled by precise setting from Taylor Gwynne (Chapel HIll, NC/Carrborro). With the score tied 7-7, Smith went on a 5-0 run, with kills by Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) and Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) sparking the surge.
• Hunt capped the run with a service ace, and from there, Smith controlled the set. Etheridge's powerful kill at 24-15 sealed the 25-15 win for Smith, who hit an impressive .435 in the set.
• The third set was closely contested early, with both teams exchanging points. With the score tied 10-10, Etheridge delivered back-to-back kills to give Smith a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
• A solo block by Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) put Smith up 18-15, and despite a late push from Clark, Smith closed the set on a Gwynne-assisted kill by Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) to win 25-20.
• In the final set, Smith continued to impose their will, building an early 8-3 lead thanks to sharp play at the net. A kill from Etheridge, followed by a service ace by Gwynne, put Smith firmly in control at 15-10.
• Clark fought back to within three points at 18-15, but Smith responded with a 4-0 run, highlighted by two blocks from Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein).
• Etheridge ended the match with a thunderous kill at 24-18, giving Smith the 3-1 victory.

Box Score

• Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) led the way with 16 kills, .265 hitting percentage, 13 digs, and 1 service ace. 
• Abby Sweeney (Spring, TX/Klein) contributed 13 kills, 4 blocks, .375 hitting percentage, and 1 dig. 

Up Next

The Pioneers resume competition on Tuesday, October 1st as they host WPI in Ainsworth Gymnasium for the first home NEWMAC contest of the season.