Gophers Take Down Green Terror in Four Sets

Smith Ties Record with 29 Kills in 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19 Win

TOWSON, Md. – It took a record-tying performance by senior outside hitter Megan Smith (Honolulu, Hawaii/Long Beach Polytechnic) to help pull it off, but Goucher came out a winner in a match against McDaniel tonight for the first time since 1997.

With Smith turning in a double-double of 29 kills and 22 digs, the Gophers were able to pin a 3-1 loss on the visiting Green Terror (1-3) in front of a spirited crowd of 140 persons in the Sports & Recreation Center. Game scores were 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 25-19.

Smith tied the school record for most kills in a four-set match, a mark she established as a sophomore in 2007 against Messiah. In the third set, after the Green Terror, who once trailed 24-18, had rallied to within 24-22, she provided the Gophers (2-2) with the decisive point No. 25 with her ninth kill of the set.

Smith, a second-team All-Landmark Conference selection in both 2007 and again last season, bunched 10 of her 29 kills into the fourth set, including one that delivered match point. She finished with a .381 attack percentage.

Claire Sauvage-Mar (New Delhi, India/American Embassy School) set up a majority of Smith's kills. The junior setter was credited with 40 assists in the victory.

Defensively, Rebecca Schaefer (River Edge, N.J./River Dell) came up with 19 digs and Carolyn Crissey (Philadelphia, Pa./Creative & Performing Arts) was in on four blocks, including a pair of solo blocks.

McDaniel had prevailed in the last eight meetings in the all-time series between the in-state rivals since Goucher last won 15-5, 16-14, 15-5 on September 6, 1997.