Medford, MA - The #16 Ephs (1-2 overall) lost an extremely close match against the #14 Tufts Jumbos (7-0 overall) this Saturday morning. The Ephs fought extremely hard, but the Jumbos just edged them out to take the match.
In doubles, Eph head coach Anik Cepeda made the decision to change up the pairings and it proved to be successful. At #1 doubles, Yuu Ishikawa and Jane Ladaga made quick work of an accomplished team by owning the net. At #2 doubles, Ahn Lin and Mia Roets fell 6-3. Tied at 1-1, it came down to Margaux Molyneux and Mia Thomann at #3 doubles to secure the doubles point. Playing a rather unconventional team, Molyneux and Thomann ripped from the baseline and picked off some volleys to take it 6-3.Â
After winning the doubles points, the Ephs started out strong in singles, taking 5 out of the 6 first sets. Molyneux dominated the court and took #3 singles with a score of 6-3, 6-1. Julia Zhang and Mia Thomann, at #2 and #4 respectively, both started strong, however, their opponents regrouped well and both fell in their third sets. Jane Ladaga also fell at #5 singles with a score line of 6-3, 6-3.
With an overall match score with Tufts leading 3-2, the Ephs needed both #1 and #6 singles to win. Roets played an amazing match at #6. After winning the first set 6-3 and losing the second set 6-3, she saved her best tennis for the third. Using her forehand and amazing defensive skills, she took the match 6-4. Tied at 3-3, Ishikawa was playing a very scrappy player at #1. It had already been a very long match and unfortunately she fell 6-4, 2-6 6-4. The tough battle narrowly ended with an overall match score of 4-3.Â
While this is not the outcome the Ephs wanted, coach Cepeda is intent on bouncing back, commenting "Another great battle against another tough NESCAC opponent. We'll take some lessons from this match and move on. Shout out to the squad for showing up with confidence in doubles and to Mia Roets for finding her voice and and her game in singles. Back to work tomorrow against Bates."
The Ephs are excited for back to back matches and will be taking on the Bates Bobcats in Lewiston, Maine tomorrow at 10 AM.Â
Results:
Doubles:
Yuu Ishikawa/Jane Ladaga (WIL) def. Stephanie Woodbury/Natalie Hu, 6-2
Rachel Crandley/Melanie Woodbury (TU) def. Ahn Lin/Mia Roets (WIL) 6-3
Mia Thomann/Margaux Molyneux (WIL) def. Nicole Kintiroglou/Ellie Gershaw 6-3
Order of finish: 1, 2, 3
Singles:
Ellie Gershaw (TU) def. Yuu Ishikawa, 4-6 6-2 6-4
Melanie Woodbury (TU) def. Julia Zhang (WIL) 6-2, 0-6, 0-6
Margaux Molyneux def. Rachel Cranley (TU), 6-3, 6-1Â
Lucy Mitchell (TU) def. Mia Thomann (WIL), 3-6, 6-0, 6-1
Athena Li (TU) def. Jane Ladaga (WIL), 6-3, 6-3
Mia Roets (WIL) def. Natalie Hu (TU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-4
Order of finish: 3, 5, 2, 4, 6, 1
