NORTHAMPTON, Mass.  – Simmons volleyball (3-6) split an early Saturday evening tri-match in western Massachusetts. In their first match of the day, the Sharks defeated Mt. St. Vincent in three sets, 3-0, before falling to Smith in five, 3-2.

MATCH 1: SIMMONS 3, MT. ST. VINCENT 0

The Sharks set the tone early in their first match of the day. Hitting .321 as a team, the Sharks took the first set with ease, 25-6, and cruised through the second and third. First-year Hannah Pridgeon eclipsed her previous single-game best, leading the team with 10 kills. 

Senior outside hitter Claire Conners came on strong, following up with nine kills on 18 attempts with just three errors for an outstanding .333 attack percentage. Graduate senior Chelsea Simmons paced the offense with 14 assists, while first-year libero Carolina Rodriguez notched 20 digs. 

MATCH 2: SMITH 3, SIMMONS 2

Coming off a win, Simmons entered their second match of the day with their confidence high, which they needed in a back-and-forth match against Smith. Smith took the first, but the Sharks answered with a 25-13 win in set two.

The Pioneers went back in front by a game winning the third set, but the Sharks responded and forced a fifth set, edging out Smith, 25-23, in the fourth set. However, Smith came out on the winning end in the fifth set.

Conners led the offense with 17 kills, while Simmons followed up tallying 12 kills to go along with 20 assists and a single-game best five solo blocks. Senior setter Kat Simeonidis helped pace of the offense with 18 assists.

SIMMONS HIGHLIGHTS

• Senior outside hitter Claire Conners registered 3.25 kills on the evening, leading the Sharks with 26 kills in two matches.
• First-year Hannah Pridgeon surpassed her single-game high, tallying 10 kills against Mt. St. Vincent and finished the day with 18 kills overall.
• Senior setter Kat Simeondis and graduate senior Chelsea Simmons paced the offense with 61 assists, while combining to record 10 aces.

GAME NOTES

• As a team, Simmons registered 15 total blocks – 11 solo and four assisted against Mt. St. Vincent and Smith.

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the court on Wednesday, September 16 when they travel to Waltham, Massachusetts to face Brandeis University at 6 p.m.