Middlebury, Vt - Sunday marked the third consecutive win for the Ephs over Amherst this year with a 5-2 victory in the NESCAC Championship match. Williams previously edged out the Lord Jeffs in October 5-4, and defeated Amherst 8-1 in April at home. This marks the Ephs' eighth overall NESCAC title.
Williams' win streak moves to 20 (20-0) this season and their overall streak stands at 21 as they defeated Johns Hopkins to finish last spring with a win in the NCAA Tournament third place match. Amherst with the loss now sports a record of 13-4 this year.
Amherst got off to an early start in doubles on Sunday, taking the lead on court one, 2-5, court two, 0-5; and court three, 1-7. Vickie Ip and Sue Ghosh of Amherst topped the Ephs' Maria Pylypiv and Julia Cancio 8-4, while on court two Linda Shin and Juli Raventos fought back from the 5-0 deficit to give Williams a point by winning 8-6. The Amherst tandem of Sarah Monteagudo and Safi Aly finished doubles with an 8-6 victory over the Eph pairing of Rebecca Curran and Maya Hart, giving Amherst the 2-1 lead heading into singles.
The Ephs won four singles matches in straight sets to overcome their 2-1 deficit coming out of doubles play and notch the 5-2 win. Juli Raventos at two, Linda Shin at three, Mia Gancayco at five and Julia Cancio at six recorded straight set wins to power the Ephs past the Lord Jeffs.
Maria Pylypiv at one singles and Rebecca Curran at four singles were not able to finish their matches as the Raventos' win sealed the match for the Ephs with a fifth point.
Williams head coach Alison Swain commented, "A NESCAC championship is a huge accomplishment. In our toughest matches this year, it has been different players who have come up with points for the win. Today was no different, and I think that's a testament to great team chemistry, determination, and a lot of heart."
On Monday the NCAA will announce at noon which teams will compete the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
On Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. the NCAA will announce, which singles players and doubles pairings have been selected for the NCAA Individuals Tournament that follows the conclusion of the team championships.
In six of the last seven years Williams has appeared in six NCAA title matches and the Ephs won all six of those matches. A year ago the Ephs finsihed third.
Williams 5, Amherst 2
May 03, 2015 at Middlebury, Vt. (Proctor Tennis Courts)
| Singles competition |
| 1. Maria Pylypiv (WILLIAMS) vs. Vickie Ip (AMHW) 4-6, 6-2, 2-2, unfinished |
| 2. Juli Raventos (WILLIAMS) def. Sue Ghosh (AMHW) 6-3, 6-2 |
| 3. Linda Shin (WILLIAMS) def. Jackie Calla (AMHW) 6-0, 6-2 |
| 4. Rebecca Curran (WILLIAMS) vs. Sarah Monteagudo (AMHW) 2-6, 7-5, unfinished |
| 5. Maria Gancayco (WILLIAMS) def. Megan Adamo (AMHW) 6-2, 6-1 |
| 6. Julia Cancio (WILLIAMS) def. Claire Carpenter (AMHW) 6-2, 6-1 |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Vickie Ip/Sue Ghosh (AMHW) def. Julia Cancio/Maria Pylypiv (WILLIAMS) 8-4 |
| 2. Juli Raventos/Linda Shin (WILLIAMS) def. Jackie Calla/Maddy Sung (AMHW) 8-6 |
| 3. Sarah Monteagudo/Safi Aly (AMHW) def. Rebecca Curran/Maya Hart (WILLIAMS) 8-6 |
| Match Notes |
| Amherst 13-4 |
| Williams 20-0 |
| Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,6,3,2) |
| 2015 NESCAC Women's Tennis Tournament Final |
| Williams automatically qualifies for the 2015 NCAA Division III Tournament |
