WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. – Williams
women's tennis (12-2, 3-0 NESCAC) headed into singles play
with a 2-1 deficit for the first time since their spring break
trip, and some early close sets in the singles lineup made the
match look as though it could be close to the finish.
The Ephs quickly put a damper on any thoughts of an upset win on
the part of Middlebury (12-2, 4-1), and ended up sweeping singles
play for a decisive win over Panthers, 7-2.
“Everyone took hold of their courts and went out
confidently and put doubles aside,” said Williams senior
captain Ashley Parsons. “I am proud of everyone
stepping up and knowing what they had to do and taking care of
business. We haven't gone down much in the spring, but
I don't think anyone was nervous. Everyone knows that
we are so strong in singles as well.”
Kristin Alotta and Nikki Reich notched the lone doubles win for
the Ephs at court two with an 8-1 win. Grace Baljon and
Taylor French lost by two games at court one, while Caroline Capute
and Lucy Marchese were defeated, 8-1.
“Our energy was really high,” continued
Parsons. “Everyone was really pumped to take revenge
and go out in singles and win.”
Win they did, as the Ephs stormed through singles play.
Capute finished her match first, running through her opponent at
court six, 6-1, 6-2. Alotta put the Ephs ahead for the first
time of the match at court two next. The Williams sophomore
battled in a tight first set, and won the final six games in a 6-0
second set for the win.
Reich closed out her match at court three, 6-2, 6-4.
Marchese, Worley, and Baljon finished their matches indoors after
visibility became difficult on the outdoor courts. Marchese
struggled in her second set, but rebounded in the third set with a
6-1 victory. Worley and Baljon completed the sweep with
straight set wins.
Williams will travel to Bowdoin for an 10:00 a.m. match on
Saturday.
Williams 7, Middlebury 2-
Doubles –
1) Jamie Haar/Alexandra McAtee (M) def. Grace
Baljon/Taylor French (W) --- 8-6
2) Kristin Alotta/Nikki Reich (W) def. Victoria
Aiello/Anna Burke (M) --- 8-4
3) Brittney Faber/Leah Kepping (M) def. Caroline
Capute/Lucy Marchese (W) --- 8-1
Exhibition Doubles-
4) Sally Wilkey/Hilary Cunningham (M) def. Ashley
Parsons/Katie Friedman (W) --- 8-4
5) Veronika Li/Nancy Worley (W) def. Blake
Harries/Whitney Hanson (M) --- 8-5
Singles-
1) Baljon (W) def. Aiello (M) --- 6-4, 6-2
2) Alotta (W) def. McAfee (M) --- 7-5, 6-0
3) Reich (W) def. Faber (M) --- 6-2, 6-4
4) Marchese (W) def. Haar (M) --- 6-1, 4-6, 6-1
5) Worley (W) def. Kepping --- 7-5, 6-3
6) Capute (W) def. Burke (M) --- 6-1, 6-2
Exhibition Singles-
7) Wilkey (M) def. Parsons (W) --- 8-6
8) Friedman (W) def. Hansen (M) --- 8-4
9) French (W) def. Harris (M) --- 8-2
10) Li (W) def. Cunningham (M) --- 8-3
