Ephs Lose Heartbreaker to Bates

LEWISTON, ME – The Ephs lost to their Bates rival on Saturday evening in a devastating 5-4 result. Williams came to Lewiston with a mission to avenge their 5-4 loss to the Bobcats in last season's national championships, but ended the day disappointed.

The evening began with the Ephs having the advantage and winning two out of the three first round matches. Caroline Sawin (#3) was the first woman off the court with a decisive 3-0 victory. Ellen Coombe (#6) was also able to score a point for the Ephs with her win in four games over her Bates opponent. Gibbs Cullen (#9) was unable to defeat her adversary, and so the women were up 2-1 after the first round of matches.

Next to play came Maria Pylypiv (#8), Lily Grant (#5), and Nicole Feshbach (#2). After dropping the first game, Pylypiv came back to even the score at one all, but could not hang on and was defeated 3-1. Feshbach had a similar story, but found herself down 2-0. Feshbach was able to take the third game 12-10, but then was unable to force a fifth game and lost 3-1. Grant, playing in the number five position, had the highlight match of the day. Her and her Bates opponent traded games until it was 2-2. Grant showed her strength and endurance by battling it out in the deciding fifth game and won 11-8 to take the match for the Ephs. After two losses in the second round, the overall match score was now even at 3-3.

In order for the Ephs to take the match, they would have to win at least two out of the three third round matches. Co-captain Alyssa Northrop (#1) was the first to get on court but was defeated 3-0 in a tough match for the Eph number one. Co-captain Ellie O'Neill, playing at the number four position, was more successful on her court, and won in three games. With the match score tied at four all, everything came down to the number sevens for both teams. Alyssa Ritchie (#7), came on the court firing and won the first game of her match. However, after her opponent came back to tie it at 1-1, Ritchie was unable to get another game and lost the match in four.

While the Ephs came as close as possible to winning one of the most anticipated matches of the season, they were not able to complete the victory.

"Everyone fought hard today and the loss was unexpected," commented Northrop. "Luckily we have two more chances to beat them this season (NESCAC's and national championships), and given the 5-4 result, we definitely have a great chance of taking advantage of their overconfidence and coming back and beating them next time!"

Assistant coach Blair Dils agreed with his co-captain. "The trip to Lewiston is always a challenge for any Williams team," added Dils. "We were well prepared and picked up great wins in the middle of the order but their depth at the bottom of the line-up was too much for us today. We're eager to play them again at a neutral site later in the season."

The trip to Maine does not end here for the Ephs, however. On Sunday they will travel to Brunswick to take on Bowdoin and Connecticut College. The women hope to end the weekend on a high note with two solid victories over their opponents tomorrow. 

Individual Results: