October 3, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shannon Houlihan
(724) 288-6347
Tennis defeats Wheaton 6-3
Northampton, MA: The pouring rain that forced the match indoors did not dampen the competitive spirit of the Pioneers, who earned a decisive victory over NEWMAC rival Wheaton 6-3. The win brings Smith to 2-2 overall, 2-2 in the NEWMAC, while Wheaton drops to 7-1 overall, 3-1 in the NEWMAC.
Despite missing two key players from the lineup that defeated Mt Holyoke on Tuesday, the Pioneers stepped up and played exciting tennis from top to bottom. The doubles play saw Smith start the day on the right foot, as they took 2 of the 3 doubles matches. Senior Alanna Dick (Winthrop, ME) and sophomore Clair Oblamski (Elm Grove, WI) defeated Allesandra DiOrio and Katie Knies 8-3, while junior Maggie Steiner (Madison, CT) and junior Ally Hawkins (Plainfield, NH) held tough for an 8-6 win over Elly Van Faasen and Caralina O'Connell.
Freshman Holly Reich (Roslyn Heights, NY) played a fantastic match at #1 singles, outlasting Sarah Geocaris 7-6 (7-4) in the first set, then taking hold of the match 6-1 for the second set and the victory. At #4 singles, Clair Oblamski came out strong to take a 6-3 lead versus Katie Knies, but Knies came back to take the second set 6-1. Both held tough in the third set, with Oblamski eventually prevailing in the tiebreak for a 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5) victory.
Smith's victory was especially exciting given Wheaton's recent victory over NEWMAC foe Wellesley, who had not lost a conference match over the past five seasons.
Smith returns to action on Tuesday October 6, when they travel to Springfield to take on the Pride at 4 pm.
Doubles
1) Gianna Teague/Jaimi Inskeep lost to Sarah Geocaris/Rosalyn Chesky, 8-3
2) Alanna Dick/Clair Oblamski defeated Allesandra DiOrio/Katie Knies, 8-3
3) Maggie Steiner/Ally Hawkins defeated Elly Van Faasen/Caralina O'Connell, 8-6
Singles
1) Holly Reich defeated Sarah Geocaris, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1
2) Jaimi Inskeep defeated Elly Van Faasen, 6-1, 6-4
3) Gianna Teague lost to Allesandra DiOrio, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
4) Clair Oblamski defeated Katie Knies, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5)
5) Maggie Steiner lost to Rosalyn Chesky, 6-3, 6-0
6) Ally Hawkins defeated Julia Parmakian, 6-2, 6-3
