Smith Victories to Come this Fall

Brigit McDannell ’18Sports Editor

Though many students just arrived on campus, athletes began playing long before the semester started. Many new and enthusiastic first-year students have joined teams, improving team dynamics as well as the scoreboard.
For Smith Tennis, playing Sept. 5 at Wellesley, Noa Dubin ’19 (No. 1. singles) defeated Wellesley’s Caroline Hsu 6-4, 6-4 putting the Pioneers on the scoreboard thanks to her impressive forehand and backhand. Her performance earned her Athlete of the Week. Margaret Anne Smith ’17 earned her second victory of the season at No. 3 singles. Despite all these wins, Smith College Tennis fell to 31st place when they lost to Wellesley 7-2.
Smith Volleyball Team defeated Norwich 3-1 on Sept. 5. Xela Miller ’18 and Elizabeth Peay ’18 both executed eight kills, and Jenna Rubin ’18 added seven aces. The victory came in the second match of opening day for the Pioneers after they were defeated 3-0 when hosting the Western New England Cadets.
Against the Cadets, the Pioneers jumped ahead with a 25-19 first set before Norwich won the second set 25-23. Smith dominated over the final two sets and finished 25-12 and 25-11. In the fourth set, the Pioneers recorded 14 kills while hitting .244. Macarena Bustamante ’18 registered five service aces of her own against Norwich alone with 26 assists and 20 digs. Julie Voorhes ’17 and Miller were also in double figures for digs as the Pioneer defense held Norwich to a -.034 hitting percentage. The Golden Bears followed with 25-19 and 25-17 set victories to take the match.
Smith Soccer Team opened the 2015 fall season with a 1-0 victory at Simmons College on Sept. 1. Jordan Isaacs ’18, who made the winning goal, and Isabella Ayvas ’18 both made impressive efforts to keep the game scoreless in the opening 45 minutes. Goalkeeper Shelby Hall ’18 stopped four goals, and 85 minutes in, she made the last save to steal the win.
On Sept. 5, field hockey first-year Kathleen Lima not only scored her first colligate goal, she also lead the team to victory 1-0 against Manhattanville. The Pioneers defeated the Valiants in the third-place game of the Annual Betty Richey Tournament. Sophie Chase ’18 and Nora Demick’s ’18 powerful defensive work earned them both a spot on the Betty Richey All-Tournament team. The Pioneers outshot Manhattanvile 13-6, leaving the team proud and ready.
With all the victories in the pre-season, only time will tell if the Pioneers will be able to maintain their winning streak for the rest of the semester. With the addition of the first-years and a renewed positive attitude, anything is possible for the fall sports.
To find game and match schedules, check out the Smith Athletics website.