HAMILTON, N.Y. — Senior captain
Julia Zhang of the Williams College women's tennis team quickly shook off any offseason rust this weekend, as she won three singles matches and one doubles match during the Colgate Invitational Saturday and Sunday.
"We saw many competitive repetitions this weekend," said 10th-year head coach
Anik Cepeda. "The objective was to know our individual game styles and play as many points as possible the way we want to play them on our terms and to our strengths. There is always room to grow and it is the beginning of the year, but I am hopeful we walk away from this event with a sense of urgency for what we want and need to work on. The fall is often more individual and we did a great job making this feel like a team event. I am excited for the next event."
The Ephs emerged victorious during 12-of-21 matches, as six Ephs competed outdoors Saturday on the J. W. Abrahamson Tennis Courts and indoors Sunday at the Sanford Field House against Hamilton, Siena and Colgate. First-year
Gabriela Finchelstein announced her arrival to collegiate tennis, winning two singles matches and one doubles event. Williams went 6-1 in matches against NESCAC-rival Hamilton.
Senior captain
Ahn Lin won a singles match against senior Carina Cristobal of Colgate, 6-3, 6-1, and then emerged victorious alongside Zhang, 6-4, during a doubles match against first-year Anette Dani and senior Priyanka Challapalli of Hamilton. Sophomore
Katelyn Wu won a singles match, and then teamed up with Finchelstein for a 7-5 triumph over junior Rebecca Hess and first-year Sophia Kurinets of Colgate.
Sophomore
Zoe Yao earned a pair of singles victories, including defeating senior Andrea Vargas of Siena in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Sophomore
Ayanna Varma, who earned NESCAC All-Conference Second Team recognition in singles last spring, defeated senior Grace Qian of Hamilton, 6-2, 6-1.
The Ephs compete at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) New England Regional on Friday and Saturday from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
Saturday Results (J. W. Abrahamson Tennis Courts)
Singles:
Julia Zhang (Williams) defeats Anette Dani (Hamilton), 6-1, 6-0
Julia Zhang (Williams) defeats Anya Kunar (Colgate), 6-2, 6-1
Ahn Lin (Williams) defeats Carina Cristobal (Colgate), 6-3, 6-1
Ayanna Varma (Williams) defeats Grace Qian (Hamilton), 6-2, 6-1
Zoe Yao (Williams) defeats Priyanka Challapalli (Hamilton), 6-1, 6-1
Katelyn Wu (Williams) defeats Sara Rock (Hamilton), 6-3, 6-2
Gabriela Finchelstein (Williams) defeats Muhan Cui (Hamilton), 6-0, 6-1
Manasi Bedi (Hamilton) defeats
Ahn Lin (Williams), 7-5, 7-6 (7-4)
Rebecca Hess (Colgate) defeats
Ayanna Varma (Williams), 2-6, 6-2, 16-14
Jolie Mastre (Colgate) defeats
Zoe Yao (Williams), 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 10-8
Caroline Brown (Colgate) defeats
Katelyn Wu (Williams), 6-3, 7-5
Mila Montero (Colgate) defeatsÂ
Gabriela Finchelstein (Williams), 6-4, 6-3
Sunday Results (Sanford Field House)
Singles:
Julia Zhang (Williams) defeats Ana Savkovic (Siena), 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2)
Zoe Yao (Williams) defeats Andrea Vargas (Siena), 6-2, 6-4
Gabriela Finchelstein (Williams) defeats Mariana Pinzon (Siena), 6-2, 7-6 (7-3)
Doubles:
Julia Zhang and
Ahn Lin (Williams) defeats Anette Dani and Priyanka Challapalli (Hamilton), 6-4
Gabriela Finchelstein and
Katelyn Wu (Williams) defeats Rebecca Hess and Sophia Kurinets (Colgate), 7-5
Sophia Montero and Mila Montero (Colgate) defeat
Julia Zhang and
Ahn Lin (Williams), 6-2
Mariana Pinzon and Ana Savkovic (Siena) defeats
Julia Zhang and
Ahn Lin (Williams), 6-4
Carina Cristobal and Jolie Mastre (Colgate) defeat
Katelyn Wu and
Zoe Yao (Williams), 6-2
Zaara Omar and Andrea Vargas (Siena) defeats
Gabriela Finchelstein and
Ayanna Varma (Williams), 7-5
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