MIDDLEBURY—The Williams Women's Tennis team got a crucial midweek conference victory Wednesday, beating Middlebury 7-2.
Williams lost two close matches in doubles play, but the number three pair of Kathleen Elkins and Nancy Worley were able to pull out their match 8-5 and avoid the sweep.
Williams rebounded extremely well in singles, taking all six matches. Kristin Alotta, Lucy Marchese, Kathleen Elkins, Kara Shoemaker, and Friedman all turned in solid straight set performances. Nancy Worley had the match of the day, winning what turned out to be a three and a half hour marathon 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The win was an important one for Williams, as it helps rebound after last weekend's loss to Amherst and enhances their seed in the NESCAC tournament.
"Despite the results in doubles I thought we played well on all three courts. I was particularly pleased with how we transitioned into singles after two close losses. Middlebury is a really strong team too so the fact that we swept them in singles is a testament to how well we played," coach Allison Swain said after the match.
Williams has another important conference match next on its schedule, this time against Tufts at home. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm.
Results:
1. Faber/Kepping (M) def Reich/Marchese (W) 9-8 (1)
2. Aiello/Burke (M) def Alotta/French (W) 9-7
3. Elkins/Worley (W) def Paradies/Wilkey (M) 8-5
4. Shoemaker/Thygesen (W) def Myers/Harries (M) 8-5
1. Alotta (W) def Aiello (M) 6-4 6-3
2. Worley (W) def Kepping (M) 2-6 6-4 6-4
3. Marchese (W) def Faber (M) 6-3 6-1
4. Elkins (W) def Wilkey (M) 6-2 6-3
5. Shoemaker (W) def Burke (M) 6-3 6-0
6. Friedman (W) def Paradies (M) 6-4 6-4
7. Li (W) def Puccinelli (M) 8-2
8. French (W) def Hanson (M) 7-6
