Volleyball Defeat NHTI/SMCC, Lose Close Match to CMCC

Concord, NH ~ The Paul Smith's College women's volleyball team traveled to Concord, NH on Saturday to take part in host NHTI's day of conference matchups.  The Bobcats handled NHTI and Southern Maine CC easily in straight sets, but were defeated by Central Maine CC in a match that was an full of back-and-forth action.

The Bobcats played three successive games on Saturday, and up first were the SeaWolves of Southern Maine CC.  Finnley Jacobson (Vergennes, VT) led the way with 17 points in a dominant win for the Bobcats, who took the match 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-10).  

The second match of the day proved to be the toughest, as Paul Smith's College and Central Maine CC went the distance.  The Mustangs would win the first game 25-20 before the Bobcats stormed back to take the next two 27-25 and 28-26.  Central Maine forced a fifth set with a win in the fourth (25-11) which they used as momentum to win the deciding set 15-8, earning a hard-fought win.  Newcomer Kaliyah Davis (Queensbury, NY) had an impressive match, scoring 15 points in the effort and set specialist Avrielle "V" Fletcher (Ovid, NY) added a whopping 34 assists throughout the five sets.  

The Bobcats finished the day strong with a win against the hosts from NHTI.  The team spread the ball around in this match, with multiple Bobcats contributing points.  Finnley Jacobson led the way with 11 points on 9 kills, Kaliyah Davis contributed 9 points on 8 kills, Alli Cherry (Grasonville, MD) had 7 points on 6 kills, and Maddie Rhodes tallied 5 points, all of which were kills.  Avrielle "V" Fletcher contributed 23 assists in the match while Alison Russell (Old Forge, NY) added a point and an assist.  

"Our ladies were amazing this weekend!" exclaimed Bridget McCormick, head coach of the women's volleyball team at Paul Smith's College.  "They took on tough teams and from each experience they have grown together to become strong.  They truly put the 'volley' into volleyball and make every game exciting," said McCormick.  "We are very excited for what comes next in our season," she added.  

The Bobcats play Word of Life at Saunders Gymnasium at home on Wednesday, September 13th at 7pm, followed by another matchup with SMCC and CMCC in league play on Saturday, September 16th in Portland, ME.  You can follow them on Instagram at @pscvolleyball or you can follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for schedules, scores, updates, and much more!

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.