Middlebury, VT - Having received a first round bye in the NESCAC Tournament as the top seed today marked the first match for Williams (19-0) in postseason play. Williams took on the Polar Bears of Bowdoin (13-5), coming out on top in what was a decisive 5-1 victory.
The Ephs' head coach Alison Swain commented, "We competed so well as a team today. Coming out of doubles 2-1 was a big victory for us after last weekend." On the final weekend of regular season play the Ephs edged Bowdoin 5-4 at home, despite trailing 2-1 after doubles.
Today the Ephs played better in doubles. Senior Maria Pylypiv and freshman Julia Cancio fell to Bowdoin's Likhansaia/Cheng, 8-3, however, the Ephs' number two doubles team of Linda Shin and Juli Raventos followed with a strong performance, winning the match 9-8(4). Maya Hart and Rebecca Curran kept the momentum going with an 8-5 victory, taking the Ephs into singles up 2-1.
Senior captain and number one singles player Maria Pylypiv became the fourth Eph to reach 100 singles wins in a career on Saturday, with her 6-3, 6-2 over the Polar Bears' Joulia Likhanskaia. Pylypiv joined Kate Troy '04 (102), Kathleen Elkins '14 (102) and Kristin Alotta '12 (109).
Linda Shin was the next to finish with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Tress Trinkia. Juli Raventos finished off the match for Williams, downing Tiffany Cheng 6-4, 6-2.
Coach Swain conlcuded by saying - "Bowdoin is a great team. We are excited to have the opportunity to play in the NESCAC championship tomorrow."
Williams tomorrow will line up against archrival Amherst College for the NESCAC championship. The match is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and will be played at Middlebury College.
Williams 5, Bowdoin 1
May 02, 2015 at Middlebury, Vt. (Proctor Tennis Courts)
| Singles competition |
| 1. Maria Pylypiv (WILLIAMS) def. Joulia Likhanskaia (BOW) 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2. Juli Raventos (WILLIAMS) def. Tiffany Cheng (BOW) 6-4, 6-2 |
| 3. Linda Shin (WILLIAMS) def. Tess Trinka (BOW) 6-3, 6-1 |
| 4. Rebecca Curran (WILLIAMS) vs. Kyra Silitch (BOW) 4-2, unfinished |
| 5. Maria Gancayco (WILLIAMS) vs. Samantha Stalder (BOW) 3-2, unfinished |
| 6. Julia Cancio (WILLIAMS) vs. Emma Chow (BOW) 5-2, unfinished |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Joulia Likhanskaia/Tiffany Cheng (BOW) def. Julia Cancio/Maria Pylypiv (WILLIAMS) 8-3 |
| 2. Juli Raventos/Linda Shin (WILLIAMS) def. Tess Trinka/Kyra Silitch (BOW) 9-8 (7-4) |
| 3. Rebecca Curran/Maya Hart (WILLIAMS) def. Emma Chow/Pilar Giffenig (BOW) 8-5 |
| Match Notes |
| Bowdoin 13-5 |
| Williams 19-0 |
| Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,2,3) |
| 2015 NESCAC Women's Tennis Tournament semifinal |
| Williams advances to Sunday's final at 1:00 p.m. |
