Ephs roll in first match of NCAAs, defeat St. Lawrence 5-0
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. – Despite the early morning start time, the Williams women’s tennis team was prepped and ready to play as they breezed past a visiting St. Lawrence squad, 5-0.
Finishing the match in just under two hours at the indoor facilities in Chapman Lansing Rink, the second-ranked Ephs advance to play the winner of the 1:00 match up between #8 Wellesley College and #13 Tufts University. The regional final will be played tomorrow at noon.
St. Lawrence had advanced to the Round of 32 upon defeating SUNY New Paltz, 5-0, yesterday afternoon. A very talented Williams squad proved too much for the Saints today, as the Ephs established dominance early in the match after soaring to a 3-0 lead in doubles play in just forty-five minutes.
Freshman Nikki Reich tallied the first singles win at court four. Defeating Chelsea Hubbell in a 6-0, 6-0 result, the Ephs needed just one more point to defeat the opposition. It seemed to be only a matter of time as Grace Baljon led at court two by a set, and was serving at 3-0 in the second set when Reich finished her match. Baljon eventually closed out the match against Casey Gilman, 6-2, 6-0 to give Williams the win and a spot in tomorrow’s regional final.
“It is great to put a check mark next to the round of 32, and be into the round of 16,” said Williams’ head coach Alison Swain. “Whether we play Wellesley or Tufts tomorrow, it is definitely going to be a battle. We’re very excited though, and feeling good about our tennis right now.”
St. Lawrence finishes their season with a 15-5 record, while Williams ups their overall record to 17-3.
Williams 5, St. Lawrence 0
Doubles:
1) Cary Gibson/Annie Schneidman (W) def. Kirsten Lannon/Chelsea Hubbell (SL) --- 8-1
2) Allie Rottkamp/Grace Baljon (W) def. Stephanie Finn/Casey Gilman (SL) --- 8-2
3) Nikki Reich/Annie Hancock (W) def. Teresa Rodriguez/Liz Ronty (SL) --- 8-3
Singles:
1) Gibson (W) led. Lannon (SL) --- 7-5, 2-2 DNF
2) Baljon (W) def. Gilman (SL) --- 6-2, 6-0
3) Ashley Parsons (W) led. Rodriguez (SL) --- 6-2, 3-2 DNF
4) Reich (W) def. Hubbell (SL) --- 6-0, 6-0
5) Rottkamp (W) led. Mackenzie Hall (SL) --- 40-30 DNF
6) Annie Hancock (W) vs. Paige Cohen (SL) --- DNP
