WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. – Eleventh-ranked Tufts (15-6) and 19th-ranked Skidmore (11-7) faced off this afternoon in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Williams College. The Jumbos overcame an early 2-1 hole to take the first four singles wins and claim a spot in tomorrow’s third-round contest against the second-ranked regional host with a 5-2 defeat of the Thoroughbreds.
Skidmore advanced to today’s match with a 5-0 sweep of Mount Saint Mary’s yesterday, while Tufts received a first-round bye as the second highest seed of the regional sectional.
The Thoroughbreds came out strong and took the first two points at courts two and three, but Tufts All-American’s Julia Browne and Meghan McCooey saved the Jumbos from the dreaded 3-0 doubles hole. The pair tallied Tuft’s first point in a close 9-7 win at court one.
Tufts bounced back in singles play, taking five of six first sets. Browne started off her match with a powerful 6-0 opening set, before closing out her opponent in straight sets at court one. Janice Lam gave the Jumbos their first advantage of the match with twelve straight games at court five in a dominant straight set shut out over Nataly Mendoza of Skidmore. Lauren Hollender picked up the next point for Tufts with a straight set win at court six, while McCooey clinched the win with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Rachel Loeb at court two.
Tufts and Williams are no stranger to each other as members of the NESCAC. The two teams squared off on April 17 with the Ephs taking the match, 7-2. The third-round match will begin at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Tufts 5 vs. Skidmore 2
Doubles
1. Julia Browne/Meghan McCooey (T) vs.Danika Robison/Nataly Mendoza (SK) (T) 9-7
2. Lauren Hollender/Edwina Stewart (T) vs. Laura Attley/Tory Engros (SK) (SK) 8-5 [2]
3. Hillary Rosen/Janice Lam (T) vs. Rachel Loeb/Britany Trimble (SK) (SK) 8-4 [1]
Singles
1. Browne (T) vs. Robison (SK) - (T) 6-0, 6-1
2. McCooey (T) vs. Loeb (SK) - (T) 6-2, 6-3
3. Stewart (T) vs. Attley (SK) - DNF (SK) 7-5, 3-4
4. Lam (T) vs. Mendoza (SK) - (T) 6-0, 6-0
5. LaCara (T) vs. Engros (SK) - DNF (T) 7-5, 2-5
6. Hollender (T) vs. Trimble (SK) - (T ) 6-2 ,6-1