September 26, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shannon Houlihan
(724) 288-6347

Volleyball win over Bridgewater State highlights weekend at MIT Invitational

Cambridge, MA: The Smith volleyball team took part in the MIT invitational this weekend, playing four matches and emerging with a decisive win over Bridgewater State 3-0, while falling to NYU 0-3, Endicott 1-3, and Colby-Sawyer 1-3. Smith ended the weekend at 3-7 overall, 1-2 in the NEWMAC.

Friday's action saw Smith battle New York University and Endicott College.  In the match against NYU (13-25, 14-25, 14-25) Smith junior Shakwana Etienne (West Orange, NJ) led the way, hitting 3 kills and playing outstanding defense.  Lauren Martinez (Phoenix, AZ) led the charge versus Endicott (25-19, 22-25, 20-25, 23-25) with 5 kills, 14 assists, and 1 service ace.  The team started off strong and won the first set, but despite solid play in the next three sets couldn't string together points at the right time to clinch another game.  Courtney Faria (Pocasset, MA) chipped in with 12 assists and 1 service ace.

On Saturday, Smith faced off against Colby-Sawyer College, falling 7-25, 19-25, 25-18, 18-25.  After falling behind in the first game, Smith kept it close the remainder of the match.  Mikal Minarich (Hobart, IN) led the team with 15 kills, 2 service aces, and 8 digs.  Brianne Connizzo (Demarest, NJ) had 8 digs as well.  Bethany Weiss (Windham, NH) contributed 4 kills and 6 solo blocks. 

In the final match of the weekend, Smith defeated Bridgewater State in three games (25-20, 25-13, 25-16).  Laurel Belton (San Bernadino, CA) had 12 kills and 1 service ace.  Minarich chipped in with 10 kills and 3 digs, while Martinez had 7 digs to lead the way defensively.  The win ended the weekend on a high note for the Pioneers, who next play on Sept 29 at 7 pm at Wheaton College.