AMHERST, MA – Williams defeated rival Amherst College by a score of 6-3 on Saturday, continuing their undefeated season. The Ephs are now 12-0 on the year and 11-0 during the spring season, while Amherst dropped to 8-5. This was the second meeting for these two teams this year. The Ephs overcame Amherst 7-2 in September.

With inclement weather expected, play was moved up an hour and began at 12:00 PM EDT.

"Today's match was a mental test," said Ephs head coach Anik Cepeda. "We stayed composed in spite of the winds, dropping temps, and trailing 1-2 after doubles."

Senior pair Juli Raventos and Julia Cancio started the day with a win for the Ephs, overcoming their opponents 8-4. Amherst bounced back, however, taking the next two matches. Vickie Ip, a senior, and Jane Fraley, a junior, defeated Ephs Chloe Henderson '20 and Rachel Cross '21 8-3 while sophomore Mammoths Maddie Dewire and Camille Smukler defeated Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio '18 and Korina Neveux '19 in a 9-7 battle.

Down by a match after doubles, Williams would bear down in singles. The Ephs lost just one match, with Ip getting her second win of the day over Cross. Ip won the first set 6-2 before Cross battled back with a 2-6 win in the second set only to fall in the third 6-1.

Raventos defeated Smukler 6-3, 6-4 for her second win of the day and Cancio earned her second also in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. In her first action of the day, senior Mia Gancayco battled back after dropping the first set to Anya Ivenitsky for the 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 victory.

Henderson and Nexeux each bounced back from losses in doubles for victories 6-2, 6-1 and 7-6(3), 6-1, respectively.

"Our willingness to embrace the circumstances and fight for one another continues to be a trademark of Williams W Tennis," said Cepeda. "Shout out to Chloe for putting up a quick point on the board in singles and to Kori for switching the mindset when it mattered the most and coming up with a huge win in 6."

Amherst will play Tufts Tuesday while the Ephs turn their sights to Trinity College tomorrow. The Bantams are 4-6 overall. Play will begin in Hartford at 1:00 PM EDT. 

Complete Results: