NORTON, Mass. — Smith College beat Wheaton College 3-1 on Saturday at Evelyn Danzig Haas Athletic Center. The Bears captured the first two sets 25-18 and 25-16 before Wheaton took the third set 25-22. The visitors clinched the match with a 25-19 victory in the fourth set. Smith tallied 14 total blocks, the most in a game this season, compared to Wheaton's three, and recorded a .321 hitting percentage to secure the win.
Smith opened the first set with a solid defensive effort, highlighted by
Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) and
Anna Feuer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) combining for a critical block that tied the score early.
Ruby Woodward (Winchester, MA/Winchester) and
Maddie Hliboki (Valley Village, CA/Harvard Westlake) facilitated a series of effective plays, allowing
Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) to capitalize with multiple key kills, contributing to a sustained scoring run that put the Bears ahead.
Smith maintained momentum through effective serving and defensive pressure. A service ace by Hliboki and consistent contributions from
Skye Higashihara (Honolulu, HI/'Iolani School) and
Uma Schulz (Riverwoods, IL/Deerfield High School) extended Smith's lead. Despite a few response points from Wheaton, the Bears concluded the set with a steady performance, finishing with a 25-18 advantage over Wheaton.
Smith began the second set with an assertive defensive stance, highlighted by a block from Feuer and Etheridge, resulting in an early 2-0 lead. Smith maintained momentum through a service ace by Mia and a series of opponent errors, building a 6-3 advantage.
The Bears continued to capitalize on Wheaton's miscues, with key blocks from Schulz and
Alison Chapin (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School) contributing to a 14-7 lead. Klunder and Etheridge delivered crucial kills, extending the lead to 21-11.
Despite a brief surge from Wheaton, Smith closed the set strongly, with Klunder securing decisive points. The set concluded with Smith sealing a 25-16 victory, extending their lead in the match.
Smith entered the third set looking to regain momentum but faced a challenge from Wheaton. Despite an early exchange of service errors and kills, Smith managed to level the score at 5-5 with consecutive kills by
Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau), assisted by
Hana Suzuki (Chattanooga, TN/East Hamilton High School) and
Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis). However, a series of points from Wheaton, including a kill by Sydney Lyon, extended their lead to 9-5.
Smith responded with a resilient effort, highlighted by defensive stops and key blocks from Schulz and Etheridge, cutting the deficit back to 15-18. A brief run with contributions from
Olivia Mendoza (Chino Hills, CA/Ruben S. Ayala) and
Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) kept Smith within striking distance at 20-23. Despite their efforts, Wheaton closed the set with a final kill by Julia Wingler, sealing the set 25-22.
Smith began the fourth set with a strong defensive effort, highlighted by Klunder and Feuer's block, narrowing the score to 3-1 after an initial Wheaton lead. Etheridge and Feuer contributed kills, helping Smith draw even at 4-4. Poehlmann's service ace further shifted momentum, allowing Smith to take a 5-4 lead.
Smith extended their advantage with Schulz and Klunder's effective attacks, pushing the score to 9-6. A series of errors by Wheaton, coupled with Hliboki's service ace, helped Smith maintain a cushion, leading 14-9. Consistent kills from Klunder and Etheridge kept Smith ahead as the score reached 19-13.
Smith closed the set with steady play, including key kills by Schulz and Chapin. Despite Wheaton's attempts to close the gap, Smith secured the set with a final kill by Chapin, concluding the set with a 25-19 victory.
Etheridge led the Bears with 12 kills, hitting a .423 attack percentage. Klunder contributed significantly with 8 kills and 11 digs. Schulz was dominant at the net, recording 7 total blocks and adding 7 kills on 13 attempts. Hliboki anchored the back row with 17 digs, showcasing her defensive skills.
Smith holds a 12-7 overall record and is 3-2 in NEWMAC play. Wheaton has a 6-10 record and is 0-4 in the NEWMAC conference.
Looking ahead, the Bears prepare to face Clark University on Tuesday, October 14. The match will take place at 7 p.m. in Ainsworth Gym, Northampton, Mass. Smith will aim to capitalize on their home-court advantage.
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
