ITHACA – The Vassar College women’s tennis team, ranked No. 40 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association rankings and No. 14 in the Northeast Region, appeared in its 13th all-time Liberty League Championship match, taking on No. 20 Skidmore College at Reis Tennis Center on the campus of Cornell University.
Unfortunately for Vassar (16-5, 6-1 Liberty League) though, the Brewers couldn’t overcome Skidmore’s depth as the Thoroughbreds (12-7) earned a 5-0 win to earn their seventh straight League title. It was the 11th time these two teams have met in the Liberty League title match, as Vassar and Skidmore hold all of the 14 all-time League championships. “Our spirit was fierce, and we used that going into the singles,” said head coach Kathy Campbell. “We fought and played focused, determined singles in a match that was played to decision that lasted about 2.5 hours. We made Skidmore beat us and battled the entire way.”
In doubles on Saturday, Vassar fell behind quickly at the No. 1 spot, as Madie Benn and Michelle Fuca rolled to an 8-2 win over Shayna Becker and Tara Edwards. Senior Connie Yoo and junior Dasha Ivenitsky won the first game at No. 3 doubles, but Alexa Goldberg and Jessica Ampel would win the next eight games to put the Thoroughbreds up 2-0.
The final doubles match was very highly contested though, as junior Kate Christensen and sophomore Morgane Flournoy pushed Ada Wiggins and Brianna Greene all match. Vassar picked up a break at 5-4 to take a 6-4 lead, but Skidmore broke right back to put the match on serve at 8-7 with the Thoroughbreds leading. Wiggins and Greene earned the victory though, breaking the VC duo to help Skidmore sweep doubles.
Needing just a pair of singles wins to clinch the automatic bid that comes with the Liberty League title, Danielle Giannetti toppled Flournoy 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles to make the score 4-0. Playing the match to decision, Skidmore picked up the title with a tin at No. 3 singles, as Fuca defeated Edwards 6-1, 6-3. Christensen was up at No. 1 singles for Vassar after winning the first set 6-4, 1-0 when the match ended.
The loss for the Brewers was just their fifth of the season overall, dropping just four Division III matches, all of which were against No. 22 competition. Senior Connie Yoo finished her senior campaign with a stellar 20-6 season, while Christensen posted 18 wins including 10 at the No. 1 position. Flournoy led all played with 23 doubles’ wins, and Edwards also chalked up 18 victories in doubles.
“This team just improved each and every week of the entire year,” said Campbell. “The work ethic is tremendous. Their ability to push each other and yet support each in a respectful, focused and fun team environment clearly raised everyone’s level of play. I’m so very proud of the team’s play and demonstrated ability to compete, and it is a tribute to each team member’s contributions on and off the court. The team dynamic is just so positive, trusting, inclusive, focused and fun.”
#20 Skidmore 5, #40 Vassar 0
May 06, 2017 at Ithaca, N.Y. (Reis Tennis Center)
Singles competition
1. Ada Wiggins (SKD) vs. Kate Christensen (VCWT) 4-6, 1-0, unfinished
2. Madie Benn (SKD) vs. Shayna Becker (VCWT) 6-4, 3-2, unfinished
3. Michelle Fuca (SKD) def. Tara Edwards (VCWT) 6-1, 6-3
4. Danielle Giannetti (SKD) def. Morgane Flournoy (VCWT) 6-0, 6-0
5. Renee Karchere-Sun (SKD) vs. Connie Yoo (VCWT) 6-2, 5-2, unfinished
6. Brianna Greene (SKD) vs. Dasha Ivenitsky (VCWT) 6-3, 5-2, unfinished
Doubles competition
1. Madie Benn/Michelle Fuca (SKD) def. Shayna Becker/Tara Edwards (VCWT) 8-2
2. Ada Wiggins/Brianna Greene (SKD) def. Kate Christensen/Morgane Flournoy (VCWT) 9-7
3. Alexa Goldberg/Jessica Ampel (SKD) def. Connie Yoo/Dasha Ivenitsky (VCWT) 8-1
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