September 30, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Smith Volleyball Defeats Wheaton

Northampton, MA: The Pioneers defeated New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) rival Wheaton College this evening 3-1 to improve to 6-9 overall and 2-2 in conference competition while the Lyons fell to 3-13 on the year and 0-4 in the NEWMAC.

Smith's Alexandra Rissi (Scottsdale, AZ), Bethany Weiss (Windham, NM) and Courtney Parker (Berlin, MD) combined for 23 kills en route to the Pioneers 25-19, 17-25, 25-22, 27-25 victory. Junior defensive specialist Brianne Connizzo (Demarest, NJ) had 14 digs while Mikal Minarich (Hobart, IN) added 10.  Sophomore Lauren Martinez (Phoenix, AZ) contributed with a team high 18 assists with 3 service aces.

Junior Lauren Kraus (Westboro, MA) led the Lyons with 15 kills and two blocks. First year Miranda Howitt (San Francisco, CA) added 7 kills with 10 digs; Emily Davisson (Carpinteria, CA) had 15 digs while Becca Rose (Sudbury, MA) tallied 37 assists in the loss.

Both teams travel to the Johnson & Wales Invitational this weekend.

                                                 1      2      3     4
Smith (6-9, 2-2)                       25    17    25   27
Wheaton (3-13, 0-4)                19    25    22   25