SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Simmons volleyball (0-1) fell 3-0 to Springfield College in their opening match of the 2012 season Friday evening at the Springfield Invitational. The Pride set the tone early and went on to win straight sets 25-10, 25-12 and 25-19. Sharks freshman Raeann Nesta (Niantic, Conn.) totaled 10 kills at a .391 clip, while senior Rachel Dufault (Westport, Mass.) registered 18 assists and 10 digs.

In both of the first two sets, Springfield jumped out to a 10-3 lead and never looked back. The Sharks battled in the third set and evened the score at 19 with a kill by Nesta. But Springfield returned with four consecutive aces to propel the Pride for the win.

The Sharks face Clarkson University and Rhode Island College on Saturday, September 1st in the Springfield Invitational at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively.