Lyons Game Day Central: Volleyball vs. Smith

Kristina Weld

THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke hosts longtime rival Smith College Tuesday evening (7:00 p.m) at the Mildred. S. Howard Gymnasium. The Lyons will be looking for their first win over the Pioneers since the 2001 season. They fell 3-0 to their NEWMAC counterparts earlier this month at the Seven Sisters Championship despite six kills and nine digs from outside hitter Martina Kneifel. Sophomore outside hitter Rosa Drummond recorded a double-double on 13 kills and 12 digs for Smith. In 56 pervious meetings between the programs, the Pioneers own an 37-19 advantage. Match Program

MHC Logo THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (7-12, 1-5 NEWMAC) has dropped eight straight matches after posting a 7-4 mark out of the gate. The Lyons have been paced by Martina Kneifel, who has piled up 2.91 kills and 3.02 digs per set to go with 31 service aces and 12.5 blocks. The outside hitter has recorded four double-doubles this year and owns a hitting percentage of .147. Setter Mollyanne Fitzpatrick has dished out 3.66 assists per set to go with 29 aces. Meanwhile, outside hitter Kathryn Brummer has collected 1.60 kills and 2.23 digs per set. Mount Holyoke has also received a boost from libero Kaleen Iwema, who has recorded 3.89 digs per set.

Opponent Logo THE PIONEERS: Smith (7-13, 1-5 NEWMAC) has come out on the losing end six straight times after splitting its first 14 matches of the year. Sophomore outside hitter Rosa Drummond has led the way for the Pioneers with her 3.80 kills and 2.71 digs per set. She has also chipped in with 25 service aces and 15.5 blocks. Setters Courtney Faria and Hayley Bezubka have combined for 535 assists. Meanwhile, outside hitter Blair Bell has averaged 2.38 kills and 2.46 digs per set. On the defensive end of the floor, libero Bethany Ashworth has racked up 4.25 digs per set. Smith's lone win in league play came on September 20, when they downed Wheaton College 3-2.

NEXT UP: The 20th annual Volleyball Hall of Fame Women's Invitational is slated to take place on the campuses of Mount Holyoke and Smith this weekend. A total of 16 teams will take part in the event, which will include 24 matches on Friday and Saturday. Both squads will be in action on Friday at 5:00 p.m. The Lyons will face off against Gordon College, while the Pioneers will match up with Brandeis University.

Mount Holyoke entertains NEWMAC foe Wheaton College this afternoon at the Mildred. S. Howard Gymnasium. In 43 pervious meetings between the programs, Wheaton has prevailed 25 times. Last fall, Wheaton downed the Lyons for the fifth time in a row, winning by a score of 3-0.