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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Alison Swain’s Williams College women’s tennis team (17-2/8-0 NESCAC) will look to earn its first conference crown since 2004 when the top-seeded Ephs take part in the 2010 NESCAC Women’s Tennis Championship at Amherst College this weekend. Along with Williams, second seed and five-time defending NESCAC champion Amherst will await Friday’s first round results, as both teams have earned a bye into Saturday’s semifinals.
The winner of Friday’s #5 Bowdoin (9-6/3-4 NESCAC) vs. #4
Middlebury (12-4/4-3 NESCAC) match will have to contend with
top-seeded Williams on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Williams heads into
the weekend riding a 10-match winning streak and has not given up a
single game since a 7-2 victory over Middlebury on April 21, a span
of five outings.
The Ephs’ only losses came at the hands of Division I James
Madison (5-2) on March 31 and a 6-3 setback to the Lord Jeffs all
the way back in the beginning of October - a match which they
avenged on April 18 in Amherst, 6-3, as they swept the doubles set
en route to victory.
“I am very proud of all that our team has achieved so far this spring season,” stated Swain. “The girls have worked incredibly hard and really proved how tough they are in competitive situations. However, the NESCAC tournament is definitely a challenge to look forward to.”
Sizing up the Ephs’ semifinal matchup Swain points out that, “Middlebury and Bowdoin have both had strong results since we competed against them a few weeks ago and Amherst finished its regular season with impressive wins as well.”
“If we do advance to the finals and Amherst does as well, then it will certainly be an entertaining match. They traditionally have a very vocal home crowd on hand and will be looking to avenge our win over them on April 18. I think most teams play better as the underdogs, so to speak, so we will have to step up our games if we want to take home the NESCAC crown.”
Swain, who also played for the Ephs, knows full well what it means to be ranked first nationally as a team. “We have reclaimed the #1 ranking at this point in the season by playing the most demanding schedule against DIII opponents, but now we have to get ready to defend that ranking into the post-season and more than likely take on some of the same teams that we played and beat in very close matches in March and April. It will definitely be a big challenge with several teams in the NESCAC and nationally showing signs of steady improvement. But I believe we have improved as well and we are continuing to make small adjustments in our play so that we are best prepared for post-season matches.”
Swain likes where her team is now, but knows full well that each match from here on out brings with it different and more intense set of expectations. “I don't think that our team is at its peak of play for the year quite yet,” stated Swain. “Now that we are into post-season play, it is essential that we take every match one step at a time and not look ahead in the draw. At the same time, we are still working on moving towards playing our best tennis into the NCAA tournament and practices are focused on how each player wants to be playing a few weeks from now.”
“As a player and a team, its hard to feel like you have an X on your backs all the time, but these girls are tough competitors and I believe they earned the privilege of defending the #1 ranking. It will certainly be a challenge, but if we continue to compete well, work hard, and support one another, then I will be very proud of this team.”
2010 NESCAC WOMEN’S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Friday, May 7 at Amherst
No. 5 Bowdoin vs. No. 4 Middlebury - 9:00 a.m.
No. 6 Trinity vs. No. 3 Tufts - 9:00 a.m.
Semifinals - Saturday, May 8 at Amherst
Winner No. 5/No. 4 vs. No. 1 Williams - 9:00 a.m.
Winner No. 6/No. 3 vs. No. 2 Amherst - 9:00 a.m.
Championship - Sunday, May 9 at Amherst
Semifinal Winners - 9:00 a.m.
