Ephs Eke Out 5-4 Win Over Wellesley

WELLESLEY, MA – The Ephs won their second match of the weekend 5-4 over Wellesley. Both opponents Williams faced this weekend finished in the top ten last spring. Amherst was ranked third and Wellesley ninth. The last time Williams played Wellesley was in last year's national tournament. Williams won that match 5-0.

“In tough matches against the top ten teams in the country, you can't predict who is going to come out on top,” said Coach Alison Swain. “Different players pulled us through today than yesterday, but everybody fought for our team, and I'm proud of them all.”

The Ephs found themselves in unfamiliar territory after the doubles play – down 2-1. Cary Gibson and Nikki Reich won easily at number one, however, Wellesley prevailed in the number two and three matches to take the lead going into singles play.

Williams had clear wins at second, fourth, and fifth singles with Nikki Reich, Kristin Alotta, and Annie Hancock overwhelming their Wellesley opponents. They dropped only six games combined. At number one singles, Blue rookie Marie Watanabe beat Eph Cary Gibson in a three set battle. With the score all tied, it was up to Ashley Parsons to bring home the win for Williams. After dropping the first game to Shivani Saxena, Parsons came back to win the second sets 6-2, 6-3 and seal the team win. 

With this win, the Ephs end their fall dual match schedule undefeated, 4-0. These included victories over three teams ranked in the top twenty last year. 

The Ephs will conclude their fall play with the NEWITT tournament next weekend held by Mt. Holyoke and Smith Colleges.

Williams 5, Wellesley 4

Doubles

1. Cary Gibson/Nikki Reich (Wi) def. Jen Schwarzkopf/Mohona Siddique (We), 8-2

2. Marie Watanabe/Grace Cheng (We) def. Kristin Alotta/Genny Loomis (Wi), 8-5

3. Shivani Saxena/Jacqueline Shen (We) def. Ashley Parsons/Annie Hancock (Wi), 8-4

- Exhibition -

4. Meghan Stubblebine/Katie Ching (We) def. Caroline Capute/Katie Friedman (Wi), 8-5

Singles

1. Marie Watanabe (We) def. Cary Gibson (Wi), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

2. Nikki Reich (Wi) def. Jen Schwarzkopf (We), 6-0, 6-2

3. Ashley Parsons (Wi) def. Shivani Saxena (We), 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

4. Kristin Alotta (Wi) def. Jacqueline Shen (We), 6-2, 6-1

5. Annie Hancock (Wi) def. Meghan Stubblebine (We), 6-2, 6-0

6. Mohona Siddique (We) def. Katie Friedman (Wi), 6-4, 6-4

- Exhibition -

7. Genny Loomis (Wi) def. Nathalie Herman (We), 6-1, 6-0

8. Caroline Capute (Wi) def. Grace Cheng (We), 8-2

9. Caroline Capute (Wi) def. Dara Azuma (We), 8-2