Ephs Lose Heartbreaker to Amherst, 4-3

LUDLOW, MA --- The #16 Ephs (1-1 overall, 0-1 NESCAC), lost a nail-biter to the #10 Amherst Mammoths (2-0 overall, 1-0 NESCAC) this Saturday at the Ludlow Tennis Center. After struggling in doubles, the Ephs rebounded well to win the first set on five of six courts. Despite some inspired play across all courts, the team eventually fell 4-the 3.

In doubles, the Ephs struggled to adjust to their aggressive opponents on all three courts. The pair of Yuu Ishikawa and Margaux Molyneux battled on court one with excellent serves and volleys. However, they fell 6-2. Ahn Lin and Mia Thomann fought hard at line three even when down, and produced some stunning plays. However, they lost a few key points and fell 6-1. At  two, Jane Ladaga and Mia Roets competed together for the first time this season. They were neck and neck with their seasoned opponents and fought for every point. After some amazing gets and volleys, they lost a deuce point at 5-3 and the set.

The Ephs, however, regrouped quickly. At two singles, Julia Zhang used her patience and defense to win her match 6-3, 6-4. Thomann at four was unbeatable from the baseline, drawing her opponent into extended rallies and forcing errors. She won her match 6-3 6-1 and has yet to drop a set this season. With this pair of wins, the Ephs had turned the match around from an 1-0 deficit to a 2-1 lead. However, the Mammoths responded on the remaining courts.

Roets battled at six on every point. Facing a consistent and steady opponent, she used her forehand and serve to take a 5-4 lead in the first. However, her opponent raised her level and took the set and match, 7-5, 6-2. On court one, Ishikawa played excellent attacking tennis to out-finesse her hard-hitting opponent. Combining accurate serves and touch volleys, she took the first set 6-4. However, her opponent hit some powerful serves to win key points and take the next two sets 6-2 6-2. Amherst took a 3-2 lead, and the match came down to the final two courts, both of which were in third sets.

At five, Ladaga mixed up the pace well, adding chips and slice to her fantastic net play. She won the first set 6-4. However, her opponent adjusted, taking a tight second set and winning the third. The Ephs gathered to watch Molyneux fight at three against a feisty opponent. A tightly contested first set went the way of Molyneux, who used her powerful first serve and baseline game to win the tiebreak 7-3. Her highly-ranked opponent bounced back to win a tight second set 6-4. Up 2-1 in the third, Molyneux found a new level, blasting balls past her opponent. She took a 4-1 lead and looked to close out the match. While her opponent hit some excellent shots, Molyneux maintained her intensity and excellent play, winning 6-3 in the third.

The Ephs will look to build on this result for the rest of the season, as they have a pair of NESCAC matches against #14 Tufts and Bates College next weekend. About the result, today Eph head coach Anik Cepeda said "We had a flat start in doubles, but then responded well and got to work in singles. We fought really well, had our chances, and nearly snuck away with a W. The squad has a lot to be proud of. Looking forward to a week of practice and our next match against Tufts."
 
Results:

Doubles:
Deliala Friedman/Lily Dounchis (AMH) def. Yuu Ishikawa/Margaux Molyneux (WIL), 6-2
Amy Cui/Katie Hart (AMH) def. Jane Ladaga/Mia Roets (WIL) 6-3
Mia Kintiroglou/Greta Stechschulte (AMH) def. Mia Thomann/Ahn Lin (WIL) 6-1
Order of finish: 1, 3, 2

Singles:
Lily Dounchis def. Yuu Ishikawa, 4-6 6-2 6-2
Julia Zhang (WIL) def. Amy Cui, 6-3 6-4
Margaux Molyneux def. Deliala Freidman, 7-6 (3) 4-6 6-3
Mia Thomann def. Tina She (AMH), 6-3 6-1
Sophie Diop (AMH) def. Jane Ladaga, 4-6 6-3 6-2
Greta Stechshulte def. Mia Roets, 7-5 6-2
Order of finish: 2, 4, 6, 1, 5, 3