Ephs Fall 7-2 to #8 Ranked Columbia Lions in Last Match of 2024

NEW YORK, NY --  In the last match of 2024, the Ephs traveled down to Columbia Universityto face the Lions in their home territory. Coming off a tough match yesterday against a highly ranked Princeton team, the Ephs new this would be another difficult match against a strong team. Ultimately, the Ephs performed well, posting 2 points to the board, and many matches going beyond three games.

First to take to the court where #2 Rhea Pandit, #4 Rachel Miller, and #7 Anika Kakarla. All three sophomores had good matches, although Pandit and Kakarla both fell in three close games. Miller won in a concise four games, after a strong start with an 11-1 finish in the first. Miller controlled the 'T' and kept her focus throughout the whole match to ultimately win and post the first point on the board for the Ephs!

Next on, #1 Melanie Wang battled a strong lion opponent. Wang ultimately fell in four very close games, but played true to her strengths against a strong opponent. Meanwhile, #6 Amanda Solecki fell in a tough three games to a diligent lion. Annie Chang, playing the #9 spot, gave her lion opponent a close match. Chang took the first game efficiently playing against a very strong opponent, but ultimately fell in a close four games, with the last score being 13-11. 

In the last round of matches, #2 Sophia Koehler, #5 Nora Brant, and #8 Naomi Jefferson-Sambanis took the court. Koehler managed a strong start and took the first game from her lion opponent, but lost the next three games, ultimately losing in four. At the same time, Brant had a difficult three game loss to her opponent. Lastly, #8 Naomi Jefferson-Sambanis took to the court. Jefferson-Sambanis posted a 12-10 loss in the first game, but came back strong and dominated her opponent in the next three games to post a second point for the Ephs and round out the match!

After the match and a decisive win, Jefferson-Sambanis commented "I think the team is on an upward trajectory, and I'm excited to come back after break and work hard heading into some closer matches. I think the team as a whole is committed to ramping up the intensity at this point in the season, and I'm looking forward to what's to come". 

The Ephs will return early in January to get some training in before an intense match schedule throughout January, starting with a three match weekend against Franklin and Marshall, Dickinson, and Georgetown University.