CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Smith College fell to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in straight sets, 25-9, 25-21, 26-24, on Tuesday at Rockwell Cage. The match concluded in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Despite the Bears' efforts, including five service aces and eight total team blocks, MIT secured the victory with a .354 hitting percentage and 45 kills.
Smith opened the first set with a steady performance, highlighted by
Alison Chapin's (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School) two early kills. Despite the offensive efforts, MIT capitalized on a series of attack errors from Smith to build an early lead. Key kills from
Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) and
Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) provided momentum for the Bears, but MIT maintained control through consistent play and an efficient setup by Kayleigh May.
As the set progressed, Smith's offense found opportunities with successful plays from
Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) and
Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University). However, MIT extended its advantage with strong contributions from Ella Zhou and Eileen Sadati. The home team's service aces and the Bears' errors allowed MIT to close the set with a 25-9 lead.
The second set began with a significant turnaround as Smith, the visiting team, capitalized on
Hana Suzuki's (Chattanooga, TN/East Hamilton High School) service ace to initiate the scoring. Suzuki's subsequent service error allowed MIT to level the scores early. Smith traded points with MIT, with
Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay) and
Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) making key kills to keep the Bears within striking distance.
Smith then mounted a strong mid-set rally, highlighted by a series of plays from
Hana Suzuki (Chattanooga, TN/East Hamilton High School) and
Alison Chapin (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School), which saw Smith take a 14-11 lead. However, MIT responded with a series of kills from Eileen Sadati and Jessie Trapp, regaining momentum and pushing ahead.
Despite Smith's efforts to close the gap with kills from
Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) and
Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School), MIT solidified their lead through effective plays, including a critical block by Ali Gibbs and Kayleigh May. The set concluded with MIT securing a 25-21 victory, maintaining their edge over the Bears.
Smith entered the third set trailing and faced an early challenge as MIT secured the first five points, including two service aces from Sophia Song. Smith responded through
Mia Etheridge (Half Moon Bay, CA/Half Moon Bay), who delivered multiple kills, and a key service ace from
Claudia Poehlmann (Chicago, IL/Lane Tech) that helped reduce the deficit to 6-4.
Smith continued to rally, with
Alison Chapin (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School) and
Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) contributing critical kills to reach a 7-7 tie. The set remained closely contested, with neither team able to maintain a significant lead. Smith gained momentum late with blocks from
Anna Feuer (Frederick, MD/Governor Thomas Johnson) and
Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School), opening a 17-15 lead.
Despite Smith's strong closing effort, including a kill by
Miranda Oakes (San Francisco, CA/San Francisco University) to bring the score to 22-21, MIT capitalized on the Bears' errors to level the score at 24-24. MIT closed out the set with back-to-back kills from Ali Gibbs, resulting in a narrow 26-24 victory for the home team.
Abby Hunt (Mandeville, LA/Fontainebleau) led the team with seven kills on 19 attempts, achieving a hitting percentage of .368 and adding two blocks.
Alison Chapin (Temecula, CA/Temecula Valley High School) contributed nine kills from 19 swings, recording a hitting percentage of .158 while also tallying one block assist.
Hana Suzuki (Chattanooga, TN/East Hamilton High School) facilitated the offense with 16 assists and added two service aces.
Addison Klunder (Los Angeles, CA/The Buckley School) registered seven kills and three block assists, accumulating a total of 8.5 points.
The Bears hold an overall record of 18-11 and are 6-4 in the NEWMAC. MIT boasts an overall record of 23-3 and remains undefeated in the NEWMAC with a 10-0 conference record.
The next challenge for Smith will be at Wellesley College on Saturday, Nov. 8. The match is set for 1 p.m. at Wellesley, Massachusetts.
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
