Amherst, Mass. – The Skidmore College women's tennis team rallied from a 4-3 deficit to defeat #25 TCNJ, 5-4 in Saturday's NCAA second round matchup at Amherst College.
 
The 17^th-ranked Thoroughbreds improve to 15-5 and will take on #3 Amherst in Sunday's NCAA regional final.
 
After falling behind 1-0, Skidmore won the next two doubles matches to take a 2-1 lead.  Melissa Hirsch and Tory Engros finished off an 8-5 win at second doubles before Nataly Mendoza and Lee Ford picked up the 8-6 win at first doubles.
 
Ford extended the lead with a 6-1, 6-2 win at fourth singles before the Lions won three straight to take the lead at 4-3 and put the Thoroughbreds on the brink of elimination.  Hirsch was able to battle back for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 win at first singles to tie it up before freshman Alex Smith clinched the match with a thrilling 5-7, 7-6, 6-4 win at fifth singles.
 
 
Skidmore College def. The College of New Jersey, 5-4
NCAA DIII Women's Tennis Championship – Second Round
Saturday, May 12 * Amherst, Mass.
 
Doubles
1. Nataly Mendoza/Lee Ford (SKID) def. Karisse Bendijo/Allison Tierney (TCNJ) 8-6
2. Melissa Hirsch/Tory Engros (SKID) def. Emily Petersack/Felice Trinh (TCNJ) 8-5
3. Paige Aiello/Lauren Balsamo (TCNJ) def. Robyn Baird/Alex Smith (SKID) 8-1
 
Singles
1. Melissa Hirsch (SKID) def. Karisse Bendijo (TCNJ) 1-6, 6-4, 6-4
2. Felice Trinh (TCNJ) def. Tory Engros (SKID) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
3. Allison Tierney (TCNJ) def. Nataly Mendoza (SKID) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
4. Lee Ford (SKID) def. Paige Aiello (TCNJ) 6-1, 6-2
5. Alex Smith (SKID) def. Lauren Balsamo (TCNJ) 5-7, 7-6, 6-4
6. Deb Wu (TCNJ) def. Robyn Baird (SKID) 6-3, 6-2
 
Order of Finish (Doubles): 3, 2, 1
Order of Finish (Singles): 4, 6, 2, 3, 1, 5