Sports
The Bates Student - September 19, 1997

 
 

Women's tennis stays unbeaten

By MARY ELLEN HENNESSEY
Staff Writer
 
The Bates women's tennis team opened their fall season with an extraordinary 5-4 victory over Middlebury College. The win was their first in 14 years of team rivalry with Middlebury. The teams were tied 44, when the weight fell on the shoulders of first-year Suzanne Daly as she opposed Middlebury senior Emily Richards in a three-set match. Daly, playing number two for Bates, was tied at one set all when rain began to fall, forcing the athletes to move indoors. This interruption presented no loss in concentration for Daly as she came back in the third set with powerful serve returns and excellent net play for a 7-5 victory. Daly remarks, "I was a little nervous going into it, since it was my first college match, but the incredible team spirit and support, both of the team and the coach, are what helped me through it."

In addition, Jen Russo '01 began her college tennis career with a 62, 6-2 win over Middlebury's number one player, Josie Kytle.

The team's amazing victory was followed by yet another win at Colby-Sawyer college the following day. Here, Russo claimed another outrages victory with a score of 6-0, 6-1. Other winners were Daly, Kara Rooney '01, Emily Kleinman '98, Janice Michaels '00, and doubles partners Russo and Daly, and Michaels and Laura Shearer '99.

These two victories put the women's tennis team on a four match winning streak, including two spring wins. Coach John Illig remarks, "Outlook is good for the season. Our doubles teams are coming together, and there is some excitement as the team is so young."
 
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Last Modified: 9/22/97
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