Defending Champion Williams Too Much for Blue Tennis

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Williams College, the defending NCAA Division III National Champion, proved to be too much for Wellesley, as the Ephs defeated the Blue, 9-0, in Sunday afternoon non-conference tennis action.

The loss was the first of the season for Wellesley, as the Blue fell to 4-1. Williams remains a perfect 4-0 on the season. 

Williams took a 3-0 lead after three hard-fought doubles matches. At one, Kristin Alotta and Kara Shoemaker defeated the Blue's Marie Watanabe and Sojung Lee, by an 8-4 score. Second doubles was also close, as Caroline Capute and Kathleen Elkins recorded an 8-5 win over Diana Granger and Emily Bary. Closing out doubles play, the Ephs' Rebecca Curran and Nancy Worley beat Melissa Clark and Joyce Chen, 8-3. 

In singles, Williams took all six matches in straight sets, although the Blue's Erica Choo forced tie-breakers in both of her third flight sets against Shoemaker. At one, Clark fell to Worley, 7-5, 6-1, while at two Watanabe fell 6-3, 6-2 to Alotta. Choo's final set scores were 7-6(5), 7-6(3) against Shoemaker, while at four, Granger fell to Curran, 6-1, 6-2. Wrapping up singles play, Lee fell 6-1, 6-2 to Capute, and Kendall Tada dropped a 6-0, 6-1, decision to Marie Pylypiv.

The Blue are back in action on Tuesday, hosting defending NEWMAC Champion Wheaton College in a key conference match at 5:00pm.