October 20, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hannah Shalett
(203) 417-3222
Smith Volleyball Finishes Hall of Fame Tournament 2-2
Northampton, MA: After beginning the weekend 0-2, the Pioneers used two strong performances Saturday to finish with a .500 record for the weekend, taking 13th place at the annual Hall of Fame Induction Tournament.
Despite a strong effort, Smith lost its opening match to Tufts University 3-0 (30-22, 30-17, 30-18). In the match Catherine Shafer (Red Bluff, CA) had 2 aces, 7 kills, and 16 digs. Brianne Connizzo (Demarest, NJ) contributed 17 digs. Bethany Weiss (Windham, NH) added 8 kills. And Mikal Minarich (Hobart, IN) finished with 4 kills and 23 digs.
Smith also fell Friday evening to Middlebury College 3-0 (30-21, 30-25, 33-31). The Pioneers recieved strong efforts from Lauren Martinez (Phoenix, AZ), 25 assists, Connizzo 21 digs, and Shafer who compiled 18 kills and 29 digs.
The Pioneers opening play Saturday with a 3-0 win over NEWMAC opponent Mount Holyoke College. The game scores were 30-20, 30-27, and 30-26. Shafer led Smith with 2 aces, 14 kills, and 17 digs. Minarich turned in a very sold performance with 12 digs and 25 assists. Alexandra Rissi (Scottsdale, AZ) was strong as well, finishing with 6 aces, 7 kills, and 8 digs.
Smith then defeated Colby 3-0 (30-12, 30-24, 30-27) to finish the tournament in 13th place. The Pioneers played a very sold match against Colby, getting large contributions from several players. Offensively, Smith was led by Rissi, 10 kills, Courtney Parker (Berlin, MD) 9 kills, and Weiss 4 aces. Turning in solid efforts both offensively and defensively were Connizzo who finished with 4 aces to go along with 11 digs, and Shafer who finished with 1 ace, 1 block assist, 4 digs, and 18 kills.
After an overall strong weekend, Shafer was named to the All-Tournament team.
Smith returns to action Tuesday, as they travel to Wellesley for a 7 pm start.
