On a picture perfect day in Newton, Massachusetts this past Saturday, the women's tennis team captured an 8-1 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over visiting Albertus Magnus College. The win was the first ever for Mustang women's tennis in their inaugural season this 2009 under the direction of first year Head Coach John T. Nestel. The Mustangs improve to 1-1 overall, 1-0 in conference play.
Senior Amey Grella (Amherst, NH/Souhegan) and sophomore Ariel Rich (Somerville, MA/Somerville) made quick work in their doubles matches to start the day for the Mustangs winning 8-0. They were followed by a convincing victory from sophomore transfer Melissa Smith (Warren, CT/Wamogo Regional) and Veronica Deciccio (Stonington, CT/Stonington). Junior captain Jessica Lindquist (Killingworth, CT/Killingworth-Haddam) and freshman Amy Warner (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) played a solid overall match that came down to a few points falling short 6-8 to Falcon junior Amanda Maurer (Hillsboro, NH/Jonathan Law) and senior Kendra Dowen (Middlesex, VT/Montpelier).
The singles matches started with Mount Ida leading 2-1 after doubles play. Lindquist led the way with a victory over last year's all conference player Maurer 6-2, 6-0. She was determined and aggressive in putting away the Falcons number one player and finished without losing a game in the second set.
Grella, the seasoned senior, left no questions asked as she captured her first NCAA singles victory with a 6-0, 6-0 win. Rich was as dominant in the number four slot in her singles match winning 6-1, 6-0. Two Mustang freshman captured their first ever NCAA wins at number five and six singles as Smith won 6-0, 6-4 and Diciccio won 6-2, 6-2.
The match of the day for the second week in a row was Warner who after coming off a tough singles win at Lesley last week was determined to follow up with a gritty performance in her first GNAC match-up. Warner lost the first set in a tough battle 7-6 but rebounded quickly by digging deep and capturing the second set 7-5. Each set featured exhausting baseline rallies as well as up and back net play with both players hunkered down for a long match. Warner, who has been working on fitness off court, cashed in as this match turned into a marathon. Warner captured the victory finishing off Dowen in the third set 6-1.
The Mount Ida College women's tennis team will host Emmanuel College this coming Tuesday starting at 2:00 p.m. for another GNAC match-up.
Singles:
Lindquist def Maurer 6-2, 6-0
Warner def Dowen 6-7, (5-7), 7-5, 6-1
Grella def Robbins 6-0, 6-0
Rich def McGarry 6-1, 6-0
Smith def Compton 6-0, 6-4
Diciccio def Minnley 6-2, 6-2
Doubles:
Lindquist/Warner lost 6-8 Maurer/Dowen
Grella/Rich def Robbins/McGarry
Smith/Diciccio def Simmar/Thompson