Women bear down, beat Polar Bears, 5-4

Author: Anna Furney

After a strong start to the season, coming off of four wins in its first matches against Babson, Bates, Skidmore and Brandeis, the Middlebury women's tennis team rallied for a much-needed victory after falling to Wellesley and Williams during the past few weeks.

The athleticism of Elizabeth Emery '09 and Chandra Kurien '09 was enough for the women's tennis team to come out on top with a 5-4 win over Bowdoin.

The Panthers, entering the match with a ranking of ninth in the most recent ITA national poll, were expected to maintain control over the courts in play against Bowdoin, who sat well behind Middlebury in 15th position.

Playing number-one singles was Claire Smyser '08, who came up short against Bowdoin's Kristin Raymond who claimed the match with a score of 6-4, 6-2. However, Smyser's teammate Emery, playing second singles for the Panthers, challenged Bowdoin's Sarah D'Ella and came out of the match with a 7-6 (6), 6-4 win.

Chandra Kurien '09 and Elizabeth Stone '09 were among the other Panthers to win their matches, with scores of 6-2, 6-1 for Kurien and 6-4, 7-5 for Stone.

The doubles matches went 2-1 in favor of Middleubry. Smyser and Emery, playing as the number-one team beat D'Ella and Raymond with a final score of 8-6. Although suffering a disappointing loss in number-two doubles, Middlebury's third doubles team of Kurien and Burke won 9-8 (8).

Stone's strong play in the decisive sixth singles match was enough for the Panthers to claim victory over the Polar Bears.

The women had little trouble with Connecticut College on Sunday, April 13, winning every game in spots one through six in the singles matches and one through three in the play in the doubles games. Notable performances came from Stone, who played 6-0, 6-0 in the fourth singles spot against Conn's Ryan McManus.

Emery dominated in her match against Elyssa Emsellem, winning the game with a 6-1, 6-2 score.

The women improved their record to 9-3 and a 3-1 in NESCAC. Play continues this weekend on April 20 at Amherst.