POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.—The William Smith College tennis team split its first two matches of the Liberty League Championship today, defeating Union 9-0 this morning before falling to tournament host Vassar 8-1 in the semifinal round. The Herons now stand at 11-5 overall.

Sophomore Melissa Slack (Cape Elizabeth/Cape Elizabeth, Maine) led William Smith with two singles victories. Playing at No. 5, she defeated Union's Lindsay Wehrum 6-1, 6-0, and downed Vassar's Elizabeth Anderson 6-2, 6-3. Melissa also joined her sister, sophomore Amanda Slack (Cape Elizabeth/Cape Elizabeth, Maine), for an 8-3 win at second doubles vs. Dutchwomen Andria Coopersmith and Brittany Gilbert.

Senior Chelsea Rauck (Columbus School for Girls/Bexley, Ohio), Amanda Slack, first-year Casey Kennedy (Lake Forest Academy/Kenilworth, Ill.), first-year Joanie Hilton (Shady Side Academy/Pittsburgh, Pa.), and first-year Jess McCue (Oneonta/Oneonta, N.Y.) also posted singles wins against Union. Additionally, Rauck and Hilton teamed up for a victory at first doubles, while Kennedy and sophomore Carly Sisson (Horseheads/Horseheads, N.Y.) earned the win at No. 3 doubles.

The Herons will square off against St. Lawrence tomorrow, April 26, in the third-place match at 9 a.m.