NEW LONDON, Conn.--

It was both teams' opener in conference play but for much of the match it felt like a conference tournament game. Despite valiant comeback efforts, Coast Guard fell 3-1(20-25, 23-25, 25-18, 20-25) at the hands of the Smith. 

Smith, after previously going by the name "Pioneers", changed their mascot to the Bears this offseason making this meeting the inaugural Battle of the Bears in the NEWMAC. Smith College(10-5, 1-0 NEWMAC) will host Babson College on Saturday at 1:00 PM.

Across the four sets, there were 23 ties and 15 lead changes in what was truly an even affair between two of the NEWMAC's best.

Despite the loss, it was a day of personal bests for CGA.

After setting her career high in digs last week with 27 vs Roger Williams, the reigning back to back NEWMAC defensive player of the week Laila Baameur(Bakersfield, CA) one-upped herself again with a 28 dig performance in a gutsy effort for Coast Guard. Baameur also had two aces to extend her streak of matches with an ace to four. 

Abby Schweitzer(Emmaus, PA) and Corey Lemmer(San Francisco, CA) each set career highs in kills with 17 and 10 respectively. Sam Ventimiglia(Key West, FL) added nine kills on the attack and three aces at the service line.

Behind Schweitzer, Lemmer, and Ventimiglia in kills was freshman Ava Ahokovi(Honolulu, HI) with five. Against tough competition, it was a breakout, career day from the rookie setter. Ahokovi was outstanding playing all the way around, making the most of her opportunity in the front row. Beyond the career best five kills and her team leading .417 attack percentage, she also tied her career high in assists with 33, was second on the team in digs with 20, and earned her first four career block assists, tying six footer Eloise Shirley(Rock Island, IL) for the team lead. 

For Coast Guard, the loss drops them to 8-3 on the year, 0-1 NEWMAC. They will stay at home this weekend with a 12 PM Saturday match vs #12 Massachusetts Institute of Technology.