By Liam Reilly
@liampreilly852
A trio of blocks from Tori Colosimo put the Pride up 6-2 early in the first set, but thanks in part to two Springfield errors, Smith knotted the set back up at six. The set was a battle, as neither team was able to pull away, with 16 total ties in the frame. However, Natalie Billet took matters into her own hands, as her three clutch kills proved to be enough for the Pride to win the set, 25-23.
The stalemate between the teams continued into the second set. With both teams trading kills, the score remained close. Kills from Olivia Gentry and Maeve Voltz ultimately gave the Pride a 15-12 lead – one they never lost as Springfield held on to take the set 25-21.
Although having all the momentum against them, the Pioneers built an early four point lead to begin the third set. Springfield continued to trail, never getting out of the hole and fell 25-15.
The Pride were able to cool down the Pioneer’s momentum in the fourth set. With kills from Billet, Colosimo, Riley Donahue, Olivia Nealy and Voltz, the Pride raced out to a 9-6 lead.
Springfield held onto its lead, but Smith didn’t let the Pride off easy. A string of errors from the Pride assisted the Pioneers in erasing the deficit, knotting the set up at 19. The match seemed destined to be heading into a fifth set, as Smith led by a score of 22-20. With their backs against the wall, Maeve Voltz took over. She inflicted two kills and a block as Springfield won the last five points of the set, winning 25-22, and the match 3-1.
“Everybody did a good job tonight,” Springfield coach Moira Long said. “Our system can be hard sometimes. We expect everybody to play, to come in and contribute and they’ve been great about that.”
The middle block tandem of Gentry (10 kills, three blocks) and Voltz (16 kills, eight blocks) were two key contributors in the victory.
Both Gentry and Voltz were on the team last year when the team beat Coast Guard in the quarterfinals, but were swept by Babson in the semis.
Gentry described the difference between this year’s playoffs and last year’s.
“It was definitely a big difference – we’re a lot tighter as a team,” Gentry said. “We all also have more experience under our belt. Even our freshmen are coming in with confidence and we know we can take any team that we face against.”
In an electric, five-set thriller against Babson on Saturday, Nov. 5, the crowd at Blake Arena was rocking – and it continued into Tuesday night’s win over Smith.
Gentry and Voltz were thankful to have the support of the school.
“Having Blake packed tonight and knowing that the school has our back makes a big difference,” said Gentry.
Voltz added, “It’s awesome knowing that there’s so much support.”
Springfield will play in the NEWMAC semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Blake Arena against No.4 Coast Guard.