NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Smith College swept Clark University (MA) in three straight sets, 25-14, 25-3, 25-10, on Tuesday at Ainsworth Gymnasium. The Bears showcased a strong offensive performance with 32 kills and a .338 hitting percentage. The team also excelled at the service line, recording 11 aces.

Smith started the first set with a service ace by Skye Higashihara (Honolulu, HI/'Iolani School), setting the initial tone. After an early exchange of points, Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) and Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) contributed with kills to give the Bears a slight edge. However, Clark responded, taking a narrow lead at 6-3 with a series of points, including a service ace from Harper Chinn.

The Bears regained momentum with a strong sequence, highlighted by Addison Klunder's (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) service ace and multiple attack errors from Clark, leading to a 19-10 advantage. Contributions from Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) and Alison Chapin (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School) continued to press Clark as Smith extended the lead. In the closing moments, Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) and Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) delivered decisive kills, allowing Smith to secure the first set with a 25-14 victory, setting a confident tone for the match ahead.

Smith capitalized on Clark's early service error to establish momentum in the second set. The home team quickly built a 3-0 lead with a kill from Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) and an attack error forced by Mia Etheridge's (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) serve. The Bears then extended the margin to 10-2, highlighted by a service ace from Ruby Woodward (Winchester, MA/Winchester) and a series of attack errors by Clark's Isabella Alcott.

Smith maintained control throughout, widening the gap to 17-2 as Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) and Anna Feuer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) contributed kills, while the defense capitalized on multiple attack errors by Clark. Olivia Mendoza (Chino Hills, CA/Ruben S. Ayala) and Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) added kills late in the set, as Smith closed out the set with a decisive block by Anna Feuer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) and Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay), securing a 25-3 victory.

The Bears began the third set on a strong note, quickly securing a lead with kills from Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) and Alison Chapin (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School), both assisted by Hana Suzuki (Chattanooga, TN/East Hamilton High School). A service ace by Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) further extended Smith's advantage to 4-1. Despite Clark closing the gap, Smith maintained momentum with decisive actions, including a service ace from Ruby Woodward (Winchester, MA/Winchester), pushing the score to 8-4.

Midway through the set, Smith continued to exert control. Notable contributions included kills by Uma Schulz (Riverwoods, IL/Deerfield High School) and Olivia Mendoza (Chino Hills, CA/Ruben S. Ayala), as well as an ace by Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau), which helped sustain their lead at 12-7. Clark attempted to rally, but Smith capitalized on errors and maintained their scoring pace. The Bears closed the set decisively with a series of scoring plays led by Poehlmann and Chapin, along with another ace from Chapin. The team finished strong with consecutive kills by Hunt, culminating in a 25-10 set victory over Clark, effectively sealing the match with a commanding performance.

Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) led the team's efforts with six kills, one service ace, and five digs, contributing to her eight total points. Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) registered four kills on six attempts and added one service ace while also collecting one solo block. Ruth Tullis (Edmond, OK/Oklahoma Christian School) was active defensively with 11 digs and added five assists to the attack. Hana Suzuki (Chattanooga, TN/East Hamilton High School) set up the offense with 11 assists and added a service ace across her two appearances.

The Bears hold a 13-7 overall record and are 4-2 in NEWMAC conference play. Clark has an overall record of 1-14 and is 0-6 in NEWMAC competition.

Looking ahead, Smith will take on Salve Regina in Newport, RI, on October 18. The match is set for 11 a.m.

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 onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram