September 24, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Volleyball Defeats NEWMAC Rival Clark 3-1

Worcester, MA: The Pioneers won a four-set match (25-20,25-15,21-25,25-20) against New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC)rival Clark University last night in Worcester. Smith improved to 4-6 overall and 1-2 in conference competition while Clark slipped to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in the NEWMAC.

Junior Mikal Minarich (Hobart, IN) led Smith with 14 kills, 6 digs and two service aces.  Junior Bethany Weis (Windham, NH) added six kills and 3 solo blocks while  Brianne Connizzo (Demarest, NJ) added 14 digs.

The Pioneers led 20-9 in the first game but the Cougars closed the gap to within two at 19-21. A kill by Minarich ended Clark's rally and Smith went on to take the set, 25-20.  Clark had an early 3-2 lead in the second set, but Smith went on a 15-2 run to put the game out of reach. Trailing 15-16 in the third set, Clark won the next four points to take a 19-16 lead and held on to win 25-21.  In the final set, the Pioneers led by one (21-20) but ran off the next four points to seal the victory.

Smith will travel to MIT this weekend to compete in the MIT Invitational and returns home on Tuesday, September 30th to host NEWMAC opponent Wheaton College at 7 p.m.