NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – The Trinity College women's volleyball team pulled off a thrilling five-set upset over No. 19 Smith College Saturday afternoon inside Ainsworth Gymnasium. After claiming the opening set, the Bantams dropped the next two frames before battling back to take the fourth, 25-23, and dominating the decisive fifth set, 15-7, to secure a 3-2 non-conference victory.
With the win, Trinity improves to 15-5 overall, while the nationally ranked Pioneers fall to 21-4.
How It Happened
- Set One – Trinity, 25-22: The Bantams opened the contest strong, registering 13 kills on 31 attempts for a .194 hitting percentage, while holding the Pioneers to a .156 clip. Trinity maintained the offensive edge, outproducing Smith 13-10 in kills to claim the opening frame, 25-22.
- Set Two – Smith, 25-16: The Pioneers responded in the second set, finding their offensive rhythm with 12 kills and a .233 hitting percentage. Trinity struggled to match Smith's offensive production, recording seven kills on 29 attempts for a .103 hitting percentage as the Pioneers evened the match at 1-1.
- Set Three – Smith, 25-15: Smith carried its momentum into the third frame, posting its highest hitting percentage of the match at .286 with nine kills and just three errors. Despite tallying 10 kills, the Bantams committed eight attacking errors, lowering their hitting percentage to .074 as Smith took a 2-1 advantage.
- Set Four – Trinity, 25-23: With their backs against the wall, the Bantams found their offensive spark, registering a match-high 16 kills on 46 attempts for a .196 hitting percentage. Trinity's defensive efforts limited Smith to a match-low .071 hitting percentage through the first four sets, forcing seven attacking errors. The Bantams edged the Pioneers, 25-23, to force a decisive fifth frame.
- Set Five – Trinity, 15-7: Trinity carried its momentum into the final set, delivering its most efficient offensive performance of the afternoon with seven kills and just two errors on 22 attempts for a .227 hitting percentage. The Bantams' defense shut down the Pioneers, holding Smith to a -.120 hitting percentage with four kills and seven errors. Trinity dominated the final frame, 15-7, completing the comeback upset over No. 19 Smith.
Inside the Numbers
- Sophomore Emma Ewart led the Bantams with a match-high 16 kills and 21 digs, recording a double-double while adding two service aces.
- Maya Hall followed with 13 kills on 30 attempts, posting a .267 hitting percentage while adding two solo blocks.
- Trinity Fore registered nine kills with just one error on 22 attempts for a team-high .364 hitting percentage, while adding two solo blocks.
- Annette Schlunk chipped in seven kills and one service ace.
- Senior Scarlett Jago anchored Trinity's defense with 16 digs, five assists and one service ace.
- Catalina Hendricks dished out a match-high 27 assists, adding six digs, two service aces and one kill.
- Keira Sky Pierce contributed 10 assists and three digs, while Sarah Jeremias added eight digs and one service ace.
- Trinity finished with 53 kills, 48 assists, 62 digs, eight service aces and eight solo blocks, posting a .161 hitting percentage while holding Smith to .120.
Up Next
The Bantams return to NESCAC action on Friday, October 30, traveling to Hamilton College for a 7:00 p.m. matchup against the Continentals.
TRINITY ATHLETICS
