Williams wins 2008 NCAA Championship title; defeats #1 Washington and Lee, 5-4
by Rachel Rosten
ST. PETER, MN. - The number one ranked team in Division III, an undefeated opponent, and a defending national champion was not enough to stop the Williams women's tennis team from claiming their first NCAA Championship title since 2002 and the third in the women’s program’s history. Facing off against #1 Washington and Lee University (28-1), the #3 Ephs (21-3) used gritty singles play to take the national title in a 5-4 victory.
This marks the fifth appearance in a national title match for the Ephs program. In 1994 and 1999, the Ephs took second while in 2001 and 2002 Williams won the championship. Current rookie head coach Alison Swain was part of the 2001 title team, making her the second female in NCAA history, in any division, to accomplish that feat.
“I was totally emotional when I won it as a player,” said Swain. “But as emotional as I was then, I am more emotional today. I am so proud today. These girls worked so hard to achieve this, and to see them achieve a goal they have been working toward all season was an unmatched feeling.”
After falling behind 2-1 in doubles play, Grace Baljon provided a boost of energy for the squad and showed her chops in a quick win at court two, 6-2, 6-0. Baljon has been dominant all year, with her only loss of the season coming at the hands of teammate Cary Gibson in the fall ITA Tournament finals. With the score knotted at 2-2, Ashley Parsons tallied the third point for the Ephs. After battling to take a first set tiebreak 7-6 (7-2), Parsons stifled the opposition in the second set, 6-0.
The Generals took care of business at court five as Rebecca Timmis defeated Williams’ Allie Rottkamp, 6-4, 6-1. At court one, Cary Gibson earned her number one spot this afternoon. Having struggled in the first set of her matches all tournament long, Gibson continued that pattern today and lost the opening frame, 6-2. After returning with a renewed energy in the second set, Gibson gave up an early break in the third. Down 3-0, she won the next six games to win the match and bring the overall match score to 4-3.
“Cary has a reputation for dropping the first set, so when she did it today I wasn’t so worried,” commented Swain. “Being down 3-0 in the third, it was beyond huge for her to win. We needed her match, and for her to turn that around was just amazing. She brought it all today, and was such a leader at the number one position. She was fiery and would not back down, and I think it was the biggest moment for her and she did it for her team today.”
Annie Hancock had taken the first set, 7-5, but Washington and Lee’s Meg Spalitta turned up the heat in the final two sets, 6-1, 6-1. At 4-4, the pressure lay on the shoulders of freshman Nikki Reich. Reich is no stranger to these situations, as she had won the deciding point in a pivotal match in the regular season against Amherst. Initially, Reich had appeared to be on her way to a routine straight set victory. With a one set lead in her pocket and a 5-2 advantage in the second set, Reich was surprised as the Generals’ Leah Weston came from behind to grab the second set. Reich was not discouraged.
Just as Hancock lost her match, Reich broke her opponent for the second time in the third set to nab a 5-1 lead. She closed out the third set, 6-1, to win the national title for her squad. This marks the second time in Williams women’s tennis history that a freshman has won the decisive match for a national championship. Julie Mallory took the fifth point for the Ephs in 2002.
“Thank God she has been in the position before,” said Swain. “Nikki is a tremendous player and so mentally tough. It is unbelievable how much it means to her and the team to close out the match for us.”
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| EPHoria !!! |
It was sweet revenge for Williams today, as they redeemed a Final Four loss to the Generals from last season and a regular season loss from their spring break swing this season. Both ending in 5-4 results, the Ephs finally ended up on the winning end today.
“It was nice playing them [Washington and Lee],” commented Swain. “I felt we had to take at least two of the doubles points, and when we didn’t it was tough for us as a team. The girls put one hundred percent effort in and took ownership of each singles match. We knew we had a huge challenge to face, but we did it.”
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| All that glitters is gold ... |
Williams 5, Washington & Lee 4
Doubles:
1) Lauren Caire/Katie Tabb (WL) def. Cary Gibson/Annie Schneidman (W) --- 8-3
2) Grace Baljon/Allie Rottkamp (W) def. Catherine Reed/Leah Weston (WL) --- 8-6
3) Virginia Dickinson/Kelly Will (WL) def. Nikki Reich/Annie Hancock (W) --- 8-3
Singles:
1)- Cary
Gibson (W) def. Katie Tabb (WL) --- 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
2) Grace Baljon (W) def. Kelly Will (WL) --- 6-2, 6-0
3) Ashley Parsons (W) def. Lauren Caire (WL) --- 7-6 (7-2), 6-0
4) Nikki Reich (W) def. Leah Weston (WL) --- 6-2, 5-7, 6-1
5) Rebecca Timmis (WL) def. Allie Rottkamp (W) --- 6-4, 6-1
6) Meg Spalitta (WL) def. Annie Hancock (W) --- 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
