Amherst edges Williams in NESCAC finals, 5-4

MIDDLEBURY, VT. – The high point of the women’s tennis season came on April 6 when Williams (16-3, 7-1 NESCAC) finally defeated archrival Amherst (16-1, 7-1 NESCAC), 5-4, for the first time since the spring of 2006.  The heroics of freshman Nikki Reich in the deciding match had pushed the Ephs over the hump. 

Today, in the bid for a conference title, the match point was up for grabs at court four once more.  This time Reich could not pull out the win, and fell to Amherst’s Laken King in a tough and hard fought three setter, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.  It is the fourth consecutive NESCAC title for the Lord Jeffs, and the third straight season in which they have defeated the Ephs to claim the crown.

Despite notching a 2-1 lead in doubles play, Williams could only muster two wins in the singles lineup.  Grace Baljon and Allie Rottkamp tallied victories at court two and court five respectively, while the remaining four Ephs faltered.

Amherst grabbed the first two singles victories to go up 3-2, before Baljon’s win knotted the score.  Then, Rottkamp’s victory gave Williams the lead at 4-3.  Annie Hancock fell at the sixth spot, leaving Reich alone on court with the deciding third set left to be played.  Despite the loss, the Ephs still retain a positive outlook on the season and what is to come.

“Losing to Amherst is always a tough pill to swallow,” commented Williams’ head coach Alison Swain after the match.  “But I think in the long run we are going to use this loss to make us better.”

Although Amherst received the automatic bid to the Div. III NCAA Championship, the nationally ranked Ephs squad will likely join them at the tournament.

“Going into the NCAA’s, we are ready,” Swain continued.  “It’s exiting that the time is finally here because we have been talking about it all year.  We feel we’re in a good place.”

Amherst 5, Williams 4

Doubles:

        1)    Alicia Menezes/Brittany Berckes (A) def. Cary Gibson/Annie Schneidman (W) --- 8-3

        2)    Allie Rottkamp/Grace Baljon (W) def. Jill Wexler/Natasha Brown (A) --- 8-4

3)    Nikki Reich/Annie Hancock (W) def. Jennifer Murphy/Laura Stein (A) ---  8-3

Singles:

        1)    Berckes (A) def. Gibson (W) --- 6-2, 6-4

2)    Baljon (W) def.   Wexler (A) --- 6-3, 6-2

3)    Menezes (A) def.  Ashley Parsons (W) --- 6-3, 6-1

4)    Laken King (A) def. Reich (W) --- 6-3, 4-6, 6-2

5)    Rottkamp (W) def. Monica Snyder--- 6-3, 6-4

        6)    Brown (A) def. Hancock (W) --- 6-3, 6-1