Women's Tennis Edges Kenyon in Season Opener, 5-4

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - Opening the spring season at home, the Swarthmore College women's tennis team (1-0) won a tight 5-4 match against Kenyon College. Junior Kelsey Johnson and sophomore Epiphany English won a crucial doubles point, while junior Stephanie Chia closed out the match with her deciding point.

In doubles competition, Johnson and English picked up an important point at number three, edging out Kenyon's Abigail Younger/Anna Becker, 9-8 (7-4).

Junior Emily Rosenblum and sophomore Lia Carlson dropped a tight 5-8 set to Amy Schlessman/Amanda Polster. Returning to the courts for singles, Carlson and Rosenblum both beat their opponents, with Carlson defeating Schlessman 6-4, 7-5 and Rosenblum dominating Polster, 6-1, 6-1.

Sophomore Katie Samuelson and Chia also found success on the singles court after dropping a difficult doubles match, 5-8 to Betts/Winkler of Kenyon. Samuelson earned a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Carly Bond and Chia won her match 7-5, 6-1.

Johnson nearly staged a comeback in singles, but unfortunately dropped a close match to Winkler, 5-7, 6-4, and 3-6. Sophomore Brooke Wilkins rounded out the Garnet lineup, but was defeated 6-1, 6-1 by Kenyon's Stephanie White.

The women will continue their non-conference matches next Sunday at home against nationally-ranked Carnegie Mellon. Competition is scheduled to begin at 1:00.