NORTHAMPTON, MA- The Wheaton College women's tennis team
suffered its first New England Women's and Men's Athletic
Conference (NEWMAC) setback of the season on Saturday, dropping a
6-3 decision at Smith College.
The Lyons, who are ranked 12th in the Intercollegiate Tennis
Association's (ITA) Northeast poll, fell to 7-2 overall and 3-1 in
league play, as their five-match winning streak came to an end. The
Pioneers improved to 2-2 and 2-2.
During doubles play, junior Sarah Geocaris (Newport
Beach, CA/Sage Hill School) sided with sophomore
Rosalyn Chesky (South Hadley, MA/Wilbraham & Monson
Academy) for an 8-2 win in the top position. However, the
Lyons trailed by a 2-1 count heading into singles after suffering
two setbacks, including one by a narrow 8-6 count in the third slot
by senior Caralina O'Connell (Norwalk, CT/Brien
McMahon) and junior Ellen Van Faasen (Manchester,
MA/Manchester Essex Regional).
Chesky earned a 6-3, 6-0 victory in fifth singles, while
sophomore Allesandra DiOrio (Cumberland, RI/Lincoln
School) notched a 6-4, 7-6 win at three. Three Lyons fell
in straight sets, while senior captain Katherine Knies
(Purdys, NY/North Salem) rallied to force a third set
during an eventual 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 loss.
Wheaton plays its next two matches at home, beginning with a
Tuesday contest against Babson College in NEWMAC play at 3:30
p.m.