Hokenson posted her eighth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 18 assists for the Lions (PHOTO BY Andrew Monson) |
BOSTON, Mass. (October 20, 2026) – Emerson College placed four in double-figures for kills in dealing Smith College, ranked No. 8 in this week's NCAA Division III NPI rankings and No. 19 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III poll, its first New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) setback of the year with a 3-1 (29-27, 25-18, 22-25, 25-14) triumph in NEWMAC women's volleyball action at Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gymnasium tonight.
Senior Rachel Dickerson and junior Chloe Hokenson posted double-doubles to lead the balanced effort for Emerson. Dickerson notched her fifth double-double of the season (12th career) with a match-high 16 kills and 11 digs, while Hokenson registered her eighth double-double or the year (26th career) with 13 kills and only five errors for a .276 hitting percentage, with 18 assists, seven digs and three blocks.
First year Addie Wooten also tallied 13 kills for Emerson with three digs and two blocks, while sophomore Lizi Horning rounded out the Lions in double figures with 11 kills. Junior Sophia Schiappa dished out a match-high 23 assists with six digs and two service aces, while senior Lauren Yoo tallied 17 digs.
Sophomore Alison Chapin led Smith with 12 kills and just three errors for a .281 hitting percentage with nine digs. Junior Skye Higashiara dished out 20 assists and eight digs, while senior Ruth Tullis totaled 13 digs and six assists. Senior Anna Feuer chipped in with nine kills and six block assists.
Emerson held off Smith in an opening set that included five ties and two lead changes with key kills from Horning, Wooten and Dickerson. Smith, who trailed by as much as five on several occasions in the opening set, rallied to reach set point (25-24) after first year Natalia Rossi served one of her match-high five aces. Horning and Wooten followed with kills to push the Lions back in front. Horning brought Emerson to within set point with a kill and then sophomore Emma Luehring delivered a block before Dickerson sealed set point with her fourth kill of the set.
Dickerson recorded her fifth double-double with a match-high 16 kills and 11 digs (PHOTO BY Andrew Monson) |
Emerson never trailed in the second set to pull within a set of the win. Hokenson paced the Lions with six kills on just seven total attacks (.857) and five assists in the set. Emerson grabbed control of the frame with six-straight points on junior Sami Kim's serve, before Hokenson delivered set point with her sixth kill.
Smith would not go down without a fight, rallying from an 18-10 deficit with an 11-2 run, sparked by back-to-back blocks that featured Feuer, to draw even at 21-21 after an ace by sophomore Hana Suzuki. The Bears ran the run to 15-4 to force a fourth set, including five-straight points on Suzuki's serve, before first year Nola Gannon delivered set point with a kill.
Emerson recovered and pulled away in the fourth set to seal the win with Hokenson posting five more kills on seven attacks without an error (.714) and four assists. Dickerson and Wooten each contributed four kills in the set with the Lions taking control after trailing early with a 12-2 run. Emerson scored seven straight points on Yoo's serve, including an ace, while Dickerson contributed three kills. Sophomore Dalena Garrett served up back-to-back aces to close out the match, finishing the match with a team-best three.
Emerson, which ended Smith's 12-match winning streak, posted its first win over the Bears since 2023.
Emerson (15-4, 6-2 NEWMAC) is right back in action here on Boylston Street on Friday when it hosts Amherst College for its Dig Pink! Match and a non-conference match at Brown and Plofker Gym at 7 p.m. Smith (21-2, 7-1 NEWMAC) hosts No. 13 Wesleyan University on Friday at 7 p.m.
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