Women’s tennis ends five game winning streak

The women’s tennis team suffered two hard felt losses this week to two NESCAC rivals. On Wednesday, the women were defeated by Williams at home, and then traveled to Tufts where they lost 7-2. These losses brought an end to a five game winning streak and brought them to 8-3 overall, 4-2 in league.
Against Williams, the Panther women came out with two wins and seven losses. The two wins came from the number one and two doubles players. Brittany Faber ’13 and Leah Kepping ’13 in the number one doubles spot were able to beat Lucy Marchese and Nikki Reich of Williams in a close 9-8 win. Victoria Aiello ’12 and Anna Burke ’12 also were able to beat out their Eph competitors in the number two spot with another close win. Early on the pair were down 7-4, but were able to come out victorious with a final score of 9-7.
All the singles matches were lost, although most were close matches. Kepping was able to draw her match against Eph player Nancy Worley into three sets. Kepping won the first set 6-2, but was beaten out in the next two sets, 6-4, 6-4.
Three days later, the team traveled to Tufts where they were defeated, winning two doubles matches and very closely defeated in two singles matches. Faber and Kepping again won in the number one singles place 8-6, while Sally Wilkey ’12 and Dorrie Paradies ’14 trumped their Jumbo rivals 8-3.
In singles play, both Faber and Wilkey drew their matches out into three sets. Faber fought hard in each set, losing the first 7-5, winning the second after several tie breakers, 6-7 and losing the third 10-7. Wilkey played against Lauren Hollender of Tufts in the number four spot, losing the first set 7-5, winning the second 3-6, but ultimately falling in the third 6-0.
The team will play Skidmore at home on Saturday, and Amherst at home on Sunday, finishing up this season’s regular play. The NESCAC Championship tournament will begin the following week, which may result in a bid to play in the NCAA tournament.