NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Smith College moved up three spots to No. 21 in the AVCA-Taraflex Division III Women's Volleyball Poll released Tuesday, the highest ranking in program history. The Bears (18-1, 5-0 NEWMAC) received 387 points, one week after earning their first Top 25 ranking at No. 24.

Smith went 3-0 last week to extend its winning streak to nine matches. The Bears beat WPI 3-1 at Ainsworth Gym on Oct. 6, then swept New England College and Lasell in a tri-match Saturday in Newton, Mass. Smith is 8-0 at home and 4-0 on the road. Its only loss came against William Smith on Sept. 19 at the New England Classic.

The NEWMAC placed three teams in the Top 25. MIT moved up two spots to No. 3 and received four first-place votes. Babson is No. 24; Smith beat the Beavers 3-1 on Sept. 26, when they were ranked No. 19. Illinois Wesleyan took over the top spot with 51 first-place votes, followed by Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

Two of Smith's remaining regular-season opponents are ranked. No. 12 Wesleyan visits Ainsworth Gym on Oct. 23 for the NESCAC-NEWMAC Challenge, and No. 3 MIT comes to Northampton on Nov. 3.

Smith continues NEWMAC play at Clark University tonight at 7 p.m. in Worcester, Mass.

About Smith Athletics
Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information, log on to GoSmithBears.com and follow the Bears on Facebook and Instagram.