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Fall
Smith Sports Preview
Fall is
approaching fast, and though that means students will be
hitting the books hard, it also means a few hundred of them
will be training and getting back in shape for another Pioneers
sports season. Eight team sports kick off their competitive
seasons through the fall. Support Smith’s student-athletes
by attending some live sporting events (). Meanwhile,
for an overview, read comments by the respective team coaches
about what they expect of the fall season.
 Jaime Ginsberg, head
coach, field hockey (first game vs. Nichols, Monday, Sept.
7, 3 p.m., at Williston-Northampton School)
“Smith field hockey is looking
strong coming into the ’09 season, coming off last season,
in which the team more than doubled its winning record. We
look to capture more wins and place in the top half of the
NEWMAC league this season. This is the team to watch this
fall. Come support our team! (Check our schedule; all home
games will be played off-campus, at Williston, Holyoke High
School and in Enfield, Conn.) Led by a senior class of eight,
we are entering our first season played and practiced all
on turf. We expect to be in the mix and ready to capture
and surprise a few teams. Do not miss the action!”
 Stephanie Gabbert, head
coach, soccer (first game vs. MCLA Monday,
Sept. 7, 4 p.m., athletic field)
“We are excited for the season
to begin, and are anticipating a very competitive schedule.
We have three excellent senior team leaders who will also
be serving as our team captains: Val Driscoll, Etta Grover-Silva,
and Hailey Bird, who will each be very impactful players
for us on the field. Surrounding them will be a fairly young
team with many sophomores returning, who we anticipate will
have even more of an impact this year, given their year of
collegiate athletic experience. A competitive goal of ours
is to finish well in our conference and compete in our post-season
conference championships at the conclusion of the regular
season.”
 Angela B. Mills, head
coach, volleyball (first game vs. Babson Tuesday, Sept. 15,
7 p.m., Ainsworth)
“The 2009 season gears up with
a fantastic bunch of returners: all-conference senior Mikal
Minarich will be a force as a starting outside hitter, joined
in the middle position by fellow senior Bethany Weiss. Defensively
we have the backcourt covered by seniors Rachel Lackert and
Brianne Connizzo. Our fast-paced offense will be coordinated
by two spectacular setters, junior Lauren Martinez and sophomore
Courtney Faria. We have dedicated offensive “kill” (a scoring
hit) power from junior middles Stephanie Bleyendaal and Shakwana
Etienne. Fresh energy will come from our diverse first years:
outside powerhouse hitter Blair Bell, defensive guru Tara
Nooteboom, middle tower of power Becca Gordon, local talent
(Frontier High School, Deerfield, Mass.) Isabelle Harper,
and an energized Connecticut player, Kelly Aliano. We are
fortunate to host two premiere tournaments this fall: the
Hall of Fame and Seven Sisters.”
 Christine Davis, head
coach, tennis (first match vs. Babson, Saturday, Sept. 26,
1 p.m., tennis courts)
“For the first time since I
can remember, we lost no players to graduation due to a young
team last year of all first-years and sophomores. The majority
of those players will be returning this fall, giving us an
experienced and enthusiastic tennis team. Maggie Steiner ’11
and Ally Hawkins ’11 will be the captains this fall and will
lead the Pioneers into fall competition."
 Sue Payne, head coach,
equestrian team, and director of riding (first event, Smith
Show, Saturday, Oct. 10, 8:30 a.m.)
“The Equestrian Team has just
12 returning members, so half the team will be new! The returning
group is very strong and there is a large group of entering
students, as well as returning riders from the lesson program
who will make it a very competitive team!”
 Karen Klinger, head
coach, crew (first event, the Pumpkin Novice Regatta, Saturday,
Sept. 17)
“In 2009 we returned to the
NCAA Rowing Championships after a two-year absence, and placed
sixth as a team. This year’s returning fall group, one of
the largest in Smith crew history, is really excited to improve
on last year’s result, racing better and faster to get on
the medals stand at the end of the year. Our eight-plus seniors
are up for the leadership challenge.”
 Lynn Hersey, head
coach, basketball (first game vs. Albany College of Pharmacy,
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m., Ainsworth)
“We are looking forward to a year when the mixture of experience and youthfulness
combine to create a strong push for improved success in the NEWMAC conference.
I think our veterans are ready to be strong leaders and will help change the
expectations in our program, certainly a vital component to creating our team’s
success this year. In addition, we will be welcoming a large and talented incoming
class and will be eager to have them contribute to our common goal of winning
a NEWMAC title.”
 Carla Coffey, head coach, track
and field
“I am excited about the coming
year as our track and field program continues to attract
top quality student-athletes that will give us a strong foundation
for the future. We will have strong leadership from 22 returnees
from last year’s
squad, as well as an influx of 15 first-year student-athletes
who will add much-needed depth and quality in the sprints,
hurdles, jumps and throws. The throwers led the team this
past season in the conference championship. Team captains
for the coming year are Etta Grover-Silva ’10 (4-time All
American in pole vault), Anna Cressotti ’10 and Ruby Western ’12.”
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