NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (Oct. 19, 2010) – The Mount Holyoke College women's volleyball team sustained a heartbreaking 3-2 (21-25, 27-25, 25-15, 23-25, 15-7) setback to longtime rival Smith College this evening at Ainsworth Gymnasium. With their first New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory of the season, the Pioneers put a halt to their 15 match losing slide.
After splitting the first two sets, Smith gained control with a 25-15 win in the third. The Lyons responded with a 25-23 victory in the fourth before falling 15-7 in the fifth.
First year outside hitter Martina Kneifel amassed 16 kills and 16 digs to pace Mount Holyoke. It was the seventh double-double of her career. Senior Kateryna Kuc also recorded a double-double in the contest. The setter piled up 33 assists and 11 digs in addition to serving a pair of aces. It was the seventh time this season and 11th time in her career that she has posted 30 assists or more. Classmate Rosa Marruffo chipped in with 22 digs and three service aces.
Mount Holyoke (7-13, 0-7 NEWMAC) is slated to host the annual Volleyball Hall of Fame Women's Invitational this weekend. The 16 team event will take place at Smith in addition to Mount Holyoke. After playing one match against Union College on Friday at 7:00 p.m., the Lyons will wrap things up with two more contests on Saturday.
