October 7, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Volleyball Defeats WPI, 3-1

Northampton, MA: Senior co-captain Bethany Weiss (Windham, NH) tallied 10 kills, four blocks and a service ace to lead the Pioneers to a 3-1 victory at NEWMAC opponent WPI last night. With the victory, Smith improved to 4-8 overall and 2-3 in conference play while the Engineers fell to 17-4 on the season and 1-4 in the NEWMAC.

The match was hard fought with neither team building more than a six point lead in any set.  The Pioneers won the first set 25-17 and rallied from a 5-0 deficit to take the second set by just two points, 25-23.  WPI squeeked out the third set 26-24 but the Pioneers won the match in the fourth set, 25-22.

Senior defensive specialist Brianne Connizzo (Demarest, NJ) registered 21 digs for Smith with an ace while junior setter Lauren Martinez (Phoenix, AZ) recorded 17 asssits, five digs and a pair of aces.  Junior Laurel Belton (San Bernadino, CA) added 11 digs, 8 kills, two aces and a block in the Pioneers victory while junior Shakwana Etienne (West Orange, NJ) had four blocks with three block assists.

Coach Angela Mills was pleased with her team's effort. "It was a late night but a worthwhile fight.  We had spectacular junior & senior leadership on the court by the duo of Martinez and Weiss.  Etienne performed aggressively at the net."

The Pioneers travel to valley rival Amherst College tonight for a non-conference 7 pm match.

                                         1       2      3     4      F
Smith (4-8, 2-3)              25      25    24    25    3
WPI (17-4, 1-4)             17      23    26    22    1