Ephs Showcase Depth, Sweep B Draw Matches

AMHERST, MA --- This year, Williams women's tennis celebrated Mountain Day at Smith and Amherst colleges, looking to build consistency at their second event of the fall. NEWITTS is an annual tournament that sees one pair compete together in singles and doubles, with the winner of two matches advancing. The Ephs showcased their depth in today's events, sweeping the B Flight.
 
First up were freshmen Ellie Stark and Mia Roets against Endicott College. Stark quickly shot to one-set lead, using her heavy forehand and consistency to outplay her opponent. Roets, however, initially struggled to settle into the match. After back-and-forth play on the windy courts, she found herself in a 4-5 deficit. With the team rallying around her, she showcased her mental toughness to save two set points. Roets then found her rhythm, reeling off the next three games to take the set 7-5. With the momentum firmly on their side, the pair cruised in their next sets, with Stark winning 6-2, 6-1 and Roets winning her second set 6-0. The pair finished a dominating performance by winning their doubles match as well, 8-2. They advance to the quarterfinals of the B Flight, where they will play fourth-seeded MIT.
 
Sophomores Julia Zhang and Ahn Lin took a quick lead in doubles against a pair of Smith players on their home courts. The pair had a shaky start but won several important points to win 8-2. In singles, Zhang utilized unconventional spin and off-pace balls to outlast her opponent 6-2, 6-3. Lin, making her singles debut this season, combined her powerful backhand and steady forehand for a decisive 6-0, 6-2 win. As the flight's second seeds, they advance to the quarterfinals where they face MIT as well.
 
Senior Yuu Ishikawa and juniors Annabelle Siegel and Jane Ladaga made up a trio in this event. They faced the second seeds, a top-ranked team from Amherst. Ishikawa and Ladaga made their debut as a pair, unfortunately seeing a slow start. As the team rallied around them, they fought back, displaying extreme composure and focus to save several match points. Unfortunately, the home team was able to claim the doubles point in the end, 8-5. The following singles action saw several competitive matches. Siegel's opponent was able to utilize tight angles to take the first set 6-2. However, Siegel regained control in the second, hitting her powerful forehand through the opposition to win 6-3. The score remained tight in the tiebreak, but Siegel ultimately fell 7-10. Ladaga also had a tight match, winning long rallies with her trademark defense and volleys. After a tight first set, she fell 4-6, 2-6. The trio will play in the drop flight tomorrow against Bates.

Speaking on the match, Eph head coach Anik Cepeda said, "There were a lot of positive moments in all the matches today and everyone has something they want to work on tomorrow. We're building day by day."
 
The Ephs return for Day 2 of NEWITTS tomorrow, where all teams will play a second round.
 
Results:
A Draw:
(2) Deliala Friedman/Lily Dounchis def. Yuu Ishikawa/Jane Ladaga 8-5
Lily Dounchis def. Annabelle Siegel 6-2, 3-6, 10-7
Rachel Roth def. Jane Ladaga 4-6, 2-6
 
 
B Draw:
Ellie Stark def. Emily Leclerc 6-2, 6-1
Mia Roets def. Caroline Sutfliffe 7-5, 6-0
Ellie Stark/Mia Roets def. E
 
(2) Julia Zhang/Ahn Lin def. Sabrina Wang/Aranne Jung 8-2
Julia Zhang def. Sabrina Wang 6-2, 6-3
Ahn Lin def. Marielle Sauber 6-0, 6-2