September 24, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Smith Volleyball Takes Third at MIT Invitational

Cambridge, MA:  Smith College (9-2) placed third in the fourteen team field at the MIT Volleyball Invitational defeating Skidmore 3-0, Colby 3-0 and Springfield 3-1 while losing to the host 3-0. The Pioneers opened play yesterday defeating Colby and Springfield with Kate Sorensen (Kelso, WA) and Katie Shafer (Red Bluff, CA) combining for 48 kills and 47 digs. Senior Lauren Perry (Metairie,LA) was the assist leader for the team with a total of 73 for the day.

            The team entered the championship bracket today facing host MIT and dropped just its second match in eleven outings (32-34, 21-30, 21-30).  Sorensen had 11 kills, 17 digs and 3 blocks with Shafer adding 12 kills and 13 digs.  Sami Lyon (Los Angeles, CA)contributed with 4 blocks while Perry tallied 28 assists.  The battle for third place was won by the Pioneers as they defeated Springfield College 30-26,30-18,27-30, 30-24. Megumi Sasaki (Singapore) had a game high 31 digs for the Pioneers; Sorensen registered 14 kills with 22 digs, Shafer 12 kills with 20 digs, Katie Thiel (Lamoille, NV) served 4 aces, Lyon blocked 7 shots with 9 kills and 2 service aces and Perry had 43 assists. Sorensen was named to the All Tournament Team for her outstanding play. MIT won the championship with Coast Guard taking second, Smith third and Springfield fourth.

                                               1          2          3
Smith                                      30        32        30
Skidmore                                 23        20        20

                                                1          2          3
Smith                                       30        30        30
Colby                                        22        12        26

                                               1          2          3
Smith                                      32        21        21
MIT                                         34        30        30

                                                1          2          3          4
Smith                                       30        30        27        30
Springfield                                 26       18        30         24