October 8, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Volleyball Falls at Amherst

Northampton, MA: The Pioneers traveled to valley rival Amherst College last and dropped a non-conference match 3-0 (25-14, 25-16, 25-21). With the win, the Jeffs improved to 11-3 overall while Smith fell to 4-9 on the season.

The Pioneers got off to a slow start in the first two sets before coming on in the third set to take a 17-13 lead.  The hosts fought back and outscored Smith 12-4 down the stretch to take the victory.

Junior setter Lauren Martinez (Phoenix, AZ) had a great night serving for Smith and led the team with 11 assists. Senior co-captain Mikal Minarich's (Hobart, IN) precision attacks gave her a team high 7 kills for the night along with 6 digs.  Junior outside hitter Laurel Belton (San Bernadino, CA) contributed with 5 kills and a team high 12 digs.

Amherst's Cristy Meier (San Anselmo, CA) registered a match-high 14 kills while Katherine Kanoff (Pacific Palisades, CA) had 7 kills and 11 digs.

The Pioneers will host the Seven Sisters Volleyball Championship this weekend.
Saturday                                                    
Noon - Smith vs. Elms and Wellesley vs. Mount Holyoke
2 pm - Elms vs. Vassar and Mount Holyoke vs. Bryn Mawr
4 pm - Smith vs. Vassar and Wellesley vs. Bryn Mawr

Sunday
two matches at 11 am
Championship at 1 pm

                                                                          1       2       3
Smith (4-9)                                                       14      16    21
Amherst (11-3)                                                 25      25    25