Sagehens Defeat Ephs 6-3

Claremont, CA - The Ephs took on Pomona-Pitzer this afternoon for their third to last match in California. Williams brought energy and fight, but ultimately fell to the Sagehens 6-3. Head Coach Anik Cepeda reflects, "What a tremendous battle. The team fought so hard after going down 0-3. This was nearly a 4-5 loss to a top 5 ranked team. We gained a lot of confidence with this match."

Number two doubles team Jane Ladaga and Ananya Aggarwal fought a close battle to 5-5, but their steady groundstrokes and net plays were not enough to beat the Sagehens today. Number one and three doubles teams both lost 8-3, though the score doesn't reflect the intensity and competitiveness of the matches. 

Down 0-3 coming into singles, the Ephs felt the pressure to turn the momentum around. Number two player Yuu Ishikawa stepped up to the challenge, rolling through her first set 6-1. Although her opponent raised her level in the second set, Ishikawa's heavy groundstrokes and volleys were too much for the Sage hen, and she won 6-1, 6-4. Number five player Ladaga also played an impressive singles match, looking comfortable, moving well, and never dropping her energy to beat her opponent soundly 6-3, 6-3. 

Number three player and freshman Mia Thomann battled in her first set, trying to find an edge. Her heavy spin and consistency found her a 6-4 first set win, though her opponent managed to turn the momentum her way and secure the second set 6-2. Thomann, however, was undaunted and stormed to a 5-0 lead in the third. Despite her opponent's last attempt to gain footing in the match, Thomann asserted a win at 6-2. At number six, Maya Jamroz went toe to toe with her Sagehen opponent, forcing a deciding set tiebreak, which went in her favor. After losing the second set, Jamroz bounced back in the third set tiebreak and had match points. However, the Sagehen found a narrow win at 11-9. 

Cepeda adds, "They are growing in their belief and trust for one another and their own games. Our opponents were a bit sharper in doubles and that made the difference in the match. Looking forward to another opportunity against a quality top 2 team tomorrow." Despite the loss, Williams looks forward to their match against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps tomorrow at 11am.  

Complete Results:
Pomona-Pitzer (PP) def. Williams College

Doubles:
Nina Ye / Lauren Rha (PP) def. Katherine Orgielewicz / Yuu Ishikawa (Williams) 
8-3
Angie Zhou / Marissa Markey (PP) def. Jane Ladaga / Ananya Aggarwal (Williams) 
8-5
Janie Marcus / Sammy Moore-Thomson (PP) def. Mia Thomann / Maya Jamroz (Williams) 
    8-3
Singles:
Angie Zhou (PP) def. Katherine Orgielewicz (Williams) 
6-4, 6-4
Yuu Ishikawa (Williams) def. Nina Ye
6-1, 6-4
Mia Thomann (Williams) def. Georgia Ryan (PP)
    6-4, 2-6, 6-2
Lauren Rha (PP) def. Ananya Aggarwal (Williams) 
    6-4, 6-3
Jane Ladaga (Williams) def. Amelia Poor (PP)
6-3, 6-3
Janie Marcus (PP) def. Maya Jamroz (Williams) 
    6-7(5), 6-0, 11-9