Pasadena, CA - For their first match in California, the Ephs took on Caltech in the afternoon after a rain delay. The Ephs took the Beavers by storm, winning with an overall score of 7-2.
Doubles took off and the Ephs were ready to battle. Number two team
Jane Ladaga and
Ananya Aggarwal came out strong, taking the lead 5-0. Aggarwal's impossible angles and Ladaga's pressure at the net proved an unbeatable combination, and they won their match 8-2. Number one team
Katherine Orgielewicz and
Yuu Ishikawa were also fired up for their match, taking an early break and finding an early lead. Orgielewicz and Ishikawa found their groove in big strokes and cutting poaches, and they sailed smoothly to an 8-2 win.
Number three team
Mia Thomann and
Maya Jamroz came head to head with their stubborn Caltech opponents and traded games closely. However, Thomann and Jamroz stepped up to the challenge, staying toe to toe and forcing a match tiebreak. Then the Ephs stepped on the gas, breaking up their opponent's rhythm with high balls and closing at the net. They took the tiebreak 7-4, securing the third win for the Ephs.
With a comfortable 3-0 lead, the Ephs confidently began their singles matches, bouncing energetically and cheering each other on as the matches got underway. Despite the consistency of their Caltech opponents who tried to fight the momentum, the Ephs did not flinch. An impressive performance came from number five player and freshman Ladaga, who lost the first set 6-2 and was down 4-0 in the second and turned the tide by winning 6 straight games, and then the match. She credits this win to becoming more focused during matches and avoiding the distractions of her surroundings. Number two Ishikawa dominated today, winning in straight sets and remaining undefeated jn singles this season.
Number six player Jamroz also played a close match and battling every point managed to turn the tide in the second set, but lost in a tight tiebreaker 8-10. Number three freshman Thomman played a very consistent opponent and stayed competitive in the important moments and crucial points, earning another win for the Ephs. Number four player Aggarwal earned the last win for the Ephs by adjusting her game style to defeat her opponent. Her patience and smart shot selections broke down her opponent's defenses and she soundly beat her opponent 6-2 6-1.
Head Coach Anik Cepeda says, "I'm so proud of this team's win. They were really positive between points, and found ways to compete and make the game difficult for their opponents, even when they weren't playing their best tennis. We were disciplined on defense and patient from the baseline. Looking forward to the next one!"
Williams looks forward to playing the University of Redlands on Thursday and securing another win in California.
Complete Results:
Williams College def. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
7-2
Doubles:
Katherine Orgielewicz /
Yuu Ishikawa (Williams) def. Anika Arora & Emily Zhang (Caltech)
8-2
Jane Ladaga /
Ananya Aggarwal (Williams) def. Yoyo Benchetrit & Nina Solovyeva (Caltech)
8-2
Mia Thomann /
Maya Jamroz (Williams) def. Athena Kolli & Payal Patel (Caltech)
8-7(4)
Singles:
Emily Zhang (Caltech) def.
Katherine Orgielewicz (Williams) def.
6-3, 6-2
Yuu Ishikawa (Williams) def. Yoyo Benchetrit (Caltech)
6-3, 6-2
Mia Thomann (Williams) def. Anika Arora (Caltech)
6-4, 7-6(2)
Ananya Aggarwal (Williams) def. Nina Solovyeva (Caltech)
6-1, 6-2
Jane Ladaga (Williams) def. Payal Patel (Caltech)
2-6, 6-4, 6-1
Anna Szchuka (Caltech) def.
Maya Jamroz (Williams)
6-2, 3-6, 10-8
