Ephs in familiar territory in NCAA Quarterfinals in Georgia on Tuesday

Alison Swain's Williams women's tennis team ran its season record to 18-2 in advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals in Lawrenceville, GA. On Tuesday, May 19^th the Ephs will face Denison University (16-6) with the winner advancing to the semifinals.

Swain, a 2001 graduate of Williams, is in her second season as the Eph head coach and she is coming off a debut season that saw her become the first coach to win an NCAA title with her alma mater in her first year in a sport she also won a title in as a player. Heading into the match with Denison Swain has compiled an overall record of 39-5 in her two years.

In March the Ephs and Denison met in Georgia over spring break and Williams prevailed by a score of 6-2. The Ephs won two of three doubles matches with Grace Baljon and Taylor French winning at number two and Kristin Alotta and Genny Loomis emerging victorious at number three.

"Playing any team in the early part of the season is great experience, but at this stage in the NCAA tournament, every team brings an extra bit of competitive fire," said Swain.  "The doubles were close on all three courts in our first match.  I think both Denison and Williams have strong doubles teams, and I expect the doubles matches to be a battle again."

Eph singles wins came from Baljon at one, Nikki Reich at three, Alotta at four and Ashley parsons at five.

The Eph lineup has changed slightly since that match and it is not clear which lineup Swain will use vs. Denison this time around.

"Our doubles and singles line ups have shifted since we initially played Denison in only our second match of the spring season," noted Swain.  "At this stage, team chemistry is as important as t he line up.  We have to play confidently, smart, and aggressive in order to advance to the next round.  A match really becomes about how a team responds to pressure moments.  Our team has to expect every match to be 5-4 and we need players who are not only willing, but want to be that last match on."

In the two most recent matches Swain has inserted sophomore Lucy Marchese into the singles lineup at number five. A year ago Marchese played number three singles before having her season cut short due to an injury.

The first time the Ephs met DU their third doubles team was composed of first year Kristin Alotta and junior Genny Loomis, but of late the third doubles tandem has featured senior Annie Hancock teaming with Alotta.

Denison will enter the match riding a 9-match win streak that features six shutouts and two wins where their opponents only won one match. Overall DU is 16-6 on the year. 2009 marks the third consecutive year that Denison has advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals.

“I believe our team is a very athletic, hard working group," stated Swain.  "We are also a very close knit team and work well together to bring home the successful results we have had thus far this year.  In Division III, it really is about loving being on the court and competing each day.  If you don't love tennis and being pushed competitively, you don't get very far as a team.  I'm proud of the dedication and respect that each of my player's bring to the sport."

Williams has now appeared in 16 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and the Ephs have compiled a record of 38-13 heading in the first 15 years, while winning the NCAA title in 2001, 2002 and 2008.