Staff Writer
The recently ranked No. 25 Springfield College Women’s volleyball team continued its hot start to the 2011 season when it defeated the Clark University Cougars 3-0 on Tuesday night by scores of 25-10, 25-9 and 25-19. Springfield improves to 11-0 overall and 3-0 within the NEWMAC Conference, which is currently good for a first place tie with MIT. The start is Springfield’s best start since 2003 when they also began the season 11-0.
From the get-go, Springfield dominated the pace of play, and it was clear that Clark (4-5, 1-2) would not be able to keep up with the Pride. Springfield took advantage of their superior size and speed, which prevented the Cougars from finding any sort of rhythm.
Throughout the game, Springfield mixed and matched players, but the one constant throughout the night was the play of senior Lauren Torvi, who finished the match with a team-high 16 kills and added four blocks. Reigning NEWMAC Player of the Week Tessa Smolinski chipped in with nine kills.
“We executed really well all night. Everything we worked on in practice the day before really worked for us tonight,” said coach Moria Long. “But we still have more work to do. Our goal is a conference championship, and we aren’t quite there yet, so we just have to keep working.”
Sam Dostaler may be reached at sdostaler@springfieldcollege.edu