WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- For their first match of the year, the Williams Ephs played the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats, ranked #23. After a well deserved break, the Ephs are ready to hit the ground running with their matches this year. The Ephs fought hard today and are ready to play even harder for their next matches on Saturday and Sunday.
On first today were
Rachel Miller (#3),
Anika Kakarla (#6), and
Naomi Jefferson-Sambanis (#9). The three freshmen started and ended strong in their matches and their Diplomat opponents fell in three straight games. Jefferson-Sambanis played smart by hitting dying lengths and moving efficiently.
Deena Iqbal (#8),
Sophia Koehler (#2), and
Theresa Kay (#4) played the second round of matches against Franklin & Marshall. Koehler and Co-captain Kay put up a strong fight by playing deep and cutting off their opponent's shots and Iqbal stayed up in the center of the court to volley her opponents shots as well. All three players clinched the win in three straight games.
The last round of matches were played by
Nora Brant (#7),
Melanie Wang (#1), and
Rhea Pandit (#5). Wang put up a strong fight especially towards the end of her match, but was unable to clinch the match against a difficult opponent. Brant and Pandit stayed on top of the ball and utilized some great strategy by moving their opponents around the court.
After the match, Head Coach
Hesham Aly commented, "The women's team fought hard today, and are ready to take on Georgetown tomorrow! The women's team played well and trained hard the past week and are prepared for some tough matches ahead of them."
The Ephs are looking forward to playing Georgetown, ranked #15, on Saturday at noon.
