Sportsbriefs Women's tennis in NCAA quarterfinals

Author: Simon Keyes

Women's tennis will head to the NCAA quarterfinals again

For the second time in three years, the women's tennis team will play in the quarterfinals at the NCAAs. This year's appearance is especially special, as Middlebury needed an at-large bid after bowing out of the NESCAC tournament in the semifinals.

The road to the quarterfinals was surprisingly easy as they blanked both Vassar and Bowdoin 5-0. The win over Bowdoin was sweet revenge for the Panthers as the Polar Bears had handed Middlebury one of their two regular season conference losses earlier in the year.

In the Bowdoin match, Middlebury jumped out early and kept the momentum going. All three doubles tandems won, with the number one team of Amy Roche '07 and Claire Smyser '08 squeaking out a close 8-6 win against Bowdoin's number-one duo.

In singles, three players did not need to finish their matches as the fifth and clinching point was secured in fast fashion when Co-Captain Emily Holick '07, Elizabeth Emery '09 and Clare Burke '09 each routed their opponents in straight sets.

The team travels to Fredericksburg, Va. where they will clash with Washington & Lee in the NCAA Quarterfinals.


Claire Smyser '08 and Amy Roche '07 win NESCAC awards

Two women's tennis players have been honored this season for their stellar play. Conference coaches named Captain Amy Roche '07 the 2007 NESCAC Player of the year. Roche also received first-team All-NESCAC honors for singles and second-team All-NESCAC honors in doubles. Roche has posted a 13-5 singles record this season to go along with her 15-5 record in doubles.

Claire Smyser '08 earned a spot on the All-NESCAC second-team for singles as she played to a 12-6 record. Smyser was also the recipient of the NESCAC Sportswoman of the Year Award.


Five men's tennis players receive NESCAC accolades

Five men's tennis players were honored this past weekend by conference coaches with NESCAC awards.

Tri-Captain Alex Scott '07 was named the 2007 NESCAC Player of the Year as he helped lead the team to its fourth-consecutive NESCAC title, as well as a spot in this years qarterfinals at Nationals. Scott was also named to the All-NESCAC first-teams for singles and doubles. Scott went 22-8 in singles this year.

Tri-Captain George Mayer '07, Scott's doubles partner, also found a place on the All-NESCAC first-team for doubles. The tandem compiled a 23-5 record on the season.

Conrad Olson '09 secured a place on the All-NESCAC second team for his singles play, which earned him a 19-4 record this season.

Rounding out the numerous awards for the Panthers were Andrew Thompson '10, who was named the NESCAC Rookie of the Year, and Tri-Captain Kevin Bergesen '07 who was a co-winner of the Clarence Chaffee Sportsmanship Award.


Palmisano '07, Walker '07 are NESCAC Players of the Week

Two Middlebury lacrosse players, Alex Palmisano '07 and Kim Walker '07 were named this week's NESCAC Players of the Week.

In helping lead the team to a NESCAC title, Palmisano's weekend totals were 27 saves, a .675 save percentage and a 6.50 goals against average.

Walker, meanwhile, made a statement on the offensive side of the ball, tallying nine points on eight goals and an assist. Her six goals against Colby tied a NESCAC tournament record.