PHILADEPHIA, PA -- In their first match of the Kurtz Cup in the CSA National Championship tournament, the Ephs played the Amherst Mammoths for the third week in a row. The Ephs were able to beat their score from the last match up which was last weekend, winning 6-3 this week.
First on court today were
Deena Iqbal (#8),
Theresa Kay (#5), and
Sophia Koehler (#1). Koehler was down by two games in her match, but was able to turn around her match in win in five games. Mental toughness was a huge attribute for her in this match, as she was able to flip the score from the week before.
The second round of players were
Melanie Wang (#2),
Amanda Solecki (#9), and
Anika Kakarla (#6). Solecki won her match in three straight games, with precise volley drops and quick movement. Wang lost in a tough four game battle with her Mammoth opponent, but played smart and fought hard throughout the match.
The last round of players were
Rhea Pandit (#5),
Naomi Jefferson-Sambanis (#7), and
Rachel Miller (#3). Jefferson-Sambanis won in a tough five game match, keeping consistent length and hitting hard, low cross courts.
After the match, head coach
Hesham Aly commented, "We knew this match was not going to be easy, but our players showed up today."
The Ephs are looking forward to playing Middlebury at 12:30 pm EST, who are ranked at #13 in the nation in the semifinals of the Kurtz Cup.
