Bears open NEWMAC play with sinking of Coast Guard

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — Smith College opened New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference play with a 25-15, 25-22, 25-18 sweep of Coast Guard on Tuesday night at Ainsworth Gymnasium. The Bears improved to 11-1 overall and 1-0 in the NEWMAC. Coast Guard fell to 8-3 and 0-1. Nola Gannon (Dallas, Texas/Townview TAG) led Smith with 11 kills on 21 attacks and hit .429 with three blocks. She keyed the first-set breakaway. With Ruth Tullis (Edmond, OK/Oklahoma Christian School) at the service line, the Bears scored six straight points to turn a 10-5 lead into a 15-5 advantage. Gannon had three…