Volleyball Swept by Amherst and Wellesley; Ends Season at 7-19

On Wednesday, Oct. 24, Smith volleyball fell to local opponent Amherst 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-18). 

In the opening set, Smith took a 7-6 lead on a kill by Rosa Drummond ’15, but Amherst responded with three straight points to take the lead. Smith tied the game at 12, but Emily Waterhouse served up a five point advantage for Amherst. Another kill from Drummond brought the score to 23-19, but Amherst scored the final two points to close the set. 

Amherst gained a 6-4 lead in the second set when Smith served out of bounds. A 4-0 run for Amherst brought the lead to 15-9 and forced the Pioneers into a timeout.  A kill from Becca Gordon ’13 cut the deficit to 18-12, but Amherst scored seven of the final nine points to win the set.  

Smith took a 5-1 lead in the third set, though Amherst responded with an 8-3 run to tie the set at 9-9.  The Pioneers regained the lead with two straight points, and Amherst came back with a 9-2 run and secured the victory with seven of the final 12 points. 

In the season finale on Saturday, Smith also fell to visiting Wellesley College 3-0 (20-25, 23-25, 13-25). Before the game, Smith honored its senior team members Blair Bell ’13, Gordon, and Becca Alexander ’13.

By the end of the game the Pioneers got a nine kill, .563 hitting performance from Mei-Li Smith ’16, who added 11 assists and eight digs. Bethany Ashworth ’14 added 14 assists and five digs but it wasn’t enough to beat the opposing team. “It was a tough loss, but we fought our hardest,” said M. Smith. “I played to the best of my abilities, and gave it my all for the team, the seniors and my coach, but there are always things to work on.”

M. Smith’s first season as a Pioneer has been a transition both to a new team and a new position. “Coming into this season I heard all about last season, but what I was focused on was this year and how I would be able to make a contribution to the program,” Smith said. “Coming out of high school, I was an outside hitter, and Coach Fran Vandermeer told me one day at practice to give setting a try.  I was scared out of my mind, I lived and breathed playing OH. After a couple weeks of frustration, it finally hit me that to make an impact, to make my contribution, I had to step into a role I was not comfortable playing. This first season was tough with a lot of ups and downs, but it only pushes us to work harder towards our goals.”

Smith ended its season with a 7-19 record, and a 3-6 record in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference.  

“I honestly love my team whole heartedly,” said M. Smith. “They are my family on and off the court.  We worked hard this year, but be ready to see an even better team next year.”