NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Smith College had a stellar Senior Day at Ainsworth Gymnasium, sweeping both Worcester State University and Curry College. The Bears defeated Worcester State 25-16, 25-13, 25-10 and followed up with a dominating performance against Curry, winning 25-4, 25-17, 25-12. Smith's offensive efficiency was showcased throughout the day, with an impressive .476 hitting percentage against Worcester State and .426 against Curry, while limiting their opponents to .027 and .000 hitting percentages, respectively. Smith celebrated its' five seniors, Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau), Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University), Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech), Madeleine Manzer (Norfolk, VA/Maury) & Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis). 

Game Overview
In the match against Worcester State, the Bears established an early lead with a kill from Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) assisted by Skye Higashihara (Honolulu, HI/'Iolani School). Despite a brief rally from Worcester, Smith regained control with key contributions from Alison Chapin (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School) and Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau), eventually pulling away with a decisive 7-1 run to close the first set at 25-16. The second set saw Smith capitalize on Worcester State's errors, with strong performances from Olivia Teske (Minneapolis, MN/South High Minneapolis) and Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) leading to a 25-13 victory. Smith maintained their momentum in the third set, aided by Ruth Tullis's (Edmond, OK/Oklahoma Christian School) service aces and Hunt's crucial kills, finishing with a commanding 25-10 win.

Against Curry, Smith started strong, quickly building a 7-0 lead with standout plays by Higashihara and early kills from Teske and Oakes. The Bears continued to apply pressure with strong serving and consistent attacking, closing the first set at a remarkable 25-4. The second set saw Smith maintain their advantage, with contributions from Hunt and Poehlmann ensuring a 25-17 victory. Smith opened the final set with a dominant 3-0 lead thanks to Higashihara's three consecutive service aces, ultimately closing the match with a 25-12 win.

Player Highlights:
- Worcester State Match: Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) led the Bears with 11 kills and a hitting percentage of .474, while Poehlmann posted a remarkable .778 hitting percentage with seven kills on nine attempts. Teske also shone, recording six kills at a .750 hitting percentage alongside five digs and one block assist.
- Curry Match: Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) was the standout performer, leading with nine kills on 14 attempts (.571) and adding two block assists. Teske excelled at the service line with six aces and seven digs, while Higashihara facilitated the offense with 20 assists and four service aces. Hunt recorded eight kills on 14 attempts (.500) and contributed five digs, marking a significant milestone as she surpassed 1,000 career kills during this match.

Smith College now holds an overall record of 18-10 and is 6-3 in NEWMAC play. Worcester State stands at 8-18 overall and 4-3 in MASCAC, while Curry College is 5-18 overall and winless in their conference at 0-8 in CNE.

Looking ahead, the Bears will face the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. in Cambridge, Massachusetts in a rematch of the 2024 NEWMAC Championship. 

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