April 13, 2012

Women's Tennis Edged Out By No. 21 Mary Washington, 5-4

SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Swarthmore College women's tennis (7-4) team nearly defeated No. 21 University of Mary Washington (11-5) on Friday afternoon in non-conference action, but fell just short as the Eagles outlasted the Garnet, 5-4.

After taking an early 2-1 lead with wins at the number one and two doubles matches, the Eagles and capitalized on its advantage picking up key singles wins at the numbers one, four, and five spots.

Sophomore Brooke Wilkins and freshman Gayatri Iyengar picked up the lone doubles point for the Garnet, defeating Martin/Dowd, 8-4 at number three. Mary Washington picked up wins at numbers one and two doubles, with Malcolm/Raulston beating sophomore Lia Carlson and junior Emily Rosenblum, 8-3 at number one, and Richman/Bowman taking down sophomore Epiphany English and junior Kelsey Johnson, 8-2 at number two.

The Garnet nearly rallied to a comeback in singles action, with Rosenblum earning a 6-2, 7-6(1) win against Bowman at number two and junior Stephanie Chia picking up a point at number three by defeating Ritter, 6-3, 6-0. Iyengar won her second match for the day, dominating Richman at number six, 6-3, 6-2.

Carlson dropped a tough match at number one to Raulston by a score of 1-6, 3-6, and Lewis secured the victory for the Eagles at number five, defeating Wilkins, 2-6, 2-6. English play five for the Garnet, and lost to Malcolm, 1-6, 0-6.

The women return to the court tomorrow at 1:00 to continue their conference campaign against Dickinson.