WILLIAMSTOWN-- The Williams women's tennis team earned a home conference win on Friday with a 6-3 win over Bowdoin College. Williams is ranked #5 in the latest ITA poll, and Bowdoin is #8.
The Ephs led 2-1 after doubles play thanks to wins at their number one and two positions. Kara Shoemaker and Rebecca Curran defeated Emma Chow and Chantelle Lavertu 8-5 in the top spot. Kathleen Elkins and Maria Pylypiv won 8-6 against Emma Lewis and Tiffany Cheng.
Maria Pylypiv gave Williams a 3-1 lead with a 6-1, 6-0 win at number five singles, and Kathleen Elkins extended the lead with a 6-0, 6-1 win of her own at number 3. Emma Lewis pulled the Polar Bears within three matches of victory with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Monica Pastor at number six.
Kellen Alberstone made the score 4-3 with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Kara Shoemaker at number one. Nancy Worley clinched the match for the Ephs with a 6-3, 6-3 win at number four. Rebecca Curran rounded things out with a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 win to give Williams its sixth point.
"We've put in a very focused week of practice and it really paid off today," said head coach Alison Swain. "I was proud of our doubles improvement and our confident singles play."
Williams returns to the courts Sunday against Emory, currently ranked #3. Williams beat Emory 5-3 in the NCAA semi-finals last May.
Individual Results:
1. Shoemaker/Curran (W) def Chow/Lavertue (B) 8-5
2. Pylypiv/Elkins (W) def Cheng/Lewis (B) 8-6
3. Alberstone/Winingham (B) def Worley/Li (W) 8-6
1. Alberstone (B) def Shoemaker (W) 6-4, 6-1
2. Curran (W) def Lavertue (B) 2-6, 6-4, 6-1
3. Elkins (W) def Winingham (B) 6-0, 6-1
4. Worley (W) def Cheng (B) 6-3, 6-3
5. Pylypiv (W) def Gallagher (B) def 6-1, 6-0
6. Lewis (B) def Pastor (W) 6-3, 6-4
Exhibition
Stone/McCoy (W) def Galagher/Howard (B) 9-7
Stone (W) def Howard (B) 6-1, 6-2
Chow (B) def Li (W) 7-5, 6-4
