SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The William Smith tennis team opened Liberty League play this afternoon , taking on No. 40 Skidmore. The Herons put up a fight but ultimately fell 5-2 to the Thoroughbreds. With the loss, William Smith falls to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while Skidmore improves to 2-6 on the season with a 2-0 mark in the Liberty League.
The thrilling conference matchup began in doubles play as the Thoroughbreds took two of the three matches to secure the early doubles point. The Herons' lone win came in the No. 2 spot as junior
Mae Kellersman and sophomore
Bethany Walker defeated Maggie English and Ellie Lake 6-3 to move to 3-3 on the season.
In the No. 3 spot, senior
Marin Montagne and sophomore
Mia Jacobs battled Mia Rosenberg and Ruth Wilson but fell in a tight matchup, 7-5, to help Skidmore secure the doubles point.
The Herons and Thoroughbreds continued to battle in singles play as Skidmore won four of six matches to clinch the match. Jacobs secured one of the two points for William Smith as she defeated Rosenberg 6-1, 6-3 in the No. 5 spot. With the win, Jacobs improved to 4-3 in singles play this spring.
First-year
Kaitlyn Hardy added a win in the No. 6 spot as she took down Wilson 7-5, 6-1 to move to 3-3 on the season.
Junior
Grace Magna put up a fight in the No. 3 spot, ultimately falling to Lake 6-3, 6-4. Magna is now 4-2 in dual match singles play this season. Walker also impressed for the Herons this afternoon as she took on English in the No. 4 spot. Walker ultimately fell 6-4, 6-3 to English as the Thoroughbreds secured the doubles point.
COACHES CORNER:
"Today was an incredible battle from the Herons," said Head Coach
Emme Levenson. "We were one point away from taking the doubles point, and responded with some focused, smart and gritty singles play. We are very prepared for League play, and we look forward to take on Ithaca Wednesday at home!"
UP NEXT:
William Smith will be back in action on Wednesday, March 25, when it hosts Ithaca in a crucial Liberty League matchup. Action between the Herons and the Bombers is set for 4 p.m.
