WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Ephs fell to the Brown Bears today in a tough 5-4 loss. Playing their last home match of the season, the team fought extremely hard but eventually fell in one of their tightest matches thus far.
Playing the three-court system, Charlotte Walsh (#9), captain Alyssa Ritchie (#6), and Hayley Parsons (#3) were up first. Walsh defeated her opponent handily in three games, as did Parsons, both players dominating from start to finish. Ritchie faced a difficult opponent and played well, but eventually fell in three tight games, making the overall match score 2-1 to the Ephs.
Next on court were Anna Nicholson (#8), Melissa Swann (#5), and Esther Baek (#2). Swann also faced a tough player and fell in three close and hard-fought games. Nicholson and Baek both took their opponents to tie-breaking fifth games, with Baek falling in the fifth and Nicholson scraping a 12-10 win to make the match score 3-3.
Last on court were Ellen Coombe (#7), Ananya Mahalingam-Dhingra (#4), and Nicole Friedman (#1). Mahalingam-Dhingra was first off court, managing to come back from a 2-0 deficit to take her opponent to a fourth game but eventually falling 3-1. Coombe forced her opponent into a fifth game, but eventually fell 3-2 in a well-played and hard fought match. Friedman dominated her opponent, winning in four games, and making the overall match score 5-4 to Brown.
Captain Alyssa Ritchie had this to say about the match: "We had a tough loss tonight against Brown, but everyone worked hard to contribute what they could to the team effort. I was especially impressed with Nicole Friedman's match, as she beat her opponent in 4 after losing last year in 5 games. Hayley Parsons and Charlotte Walsh also had incredibly strong matches and started the team off great. Anna Nicholson was extremely tough as well and has continued her winning streak with another five gamer. Everyone else played great and I have confidence the next time we see them at Nationals we will come out with the win."
Assistant coach Blair Dils agreed with her sentiments, stating, "You have to give Brown credit for coming into our place and gutting out some very good wins. We really hope we can get a rematch with them at nationals in four weeks. There will be real incentive over the next few weeks to improve and to turn the score around."
The Ephs next travel to New York City to play Columbia on Friday and then to Amherst on Saturday for the annual Little Three Championships.
INDIVIDUAL SCORES TO COME.
