IRVINE, CA (March 13, 2017) – A day after playing the No. 4 team in the nation and falling to Bowdoin, the Vassar College women's tennis team would respond with a resounding 7-2 win over another ranked squad, defeating No. 38 Hardin-Simmons University (TX) 7-2 after sweeping the six singles matches in action from University High School in Irvine, CA.

The Brewers (6-2), regionally ranked No. 17 in the Northeast by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, were tested in doubles, but took an early lead as junior Kate Christensen and sophomore Morgane Flournoy chalked up an 8-3 win over Kyra Mobley and Jasmine Briant to put the Brewers on top. The duo has won seven of its past 10 matches, and is 4-2 this season at the No. 2 spot.

The Cowgirls (7-5) would tie the match at one thanks to an 8-5 win at No. 3 doubles, as Jenna Smith and Hannah Smith knocked off junior Dasha Ivenitsky and Connie Yoo of Vassar, 8-5. Hardin-Simmons would earn the final doubles point going into singles, as Shayne Cook and Michaela Ellison topped Vassar's top pairing of Shayna Becker and Tara Edwards, 8-6.

That's when the Brewers would get it going, turning it up a notch to sweep the all six singles matches, including two in three sets. With the Cowgirls up 2-1, VC pulled even thanks to a win by Yoo at the No. 5 spot, as she cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win over Briant. Yoo has been nothing short of amazing lately, as she won Sunday and is currently riding a four-match winning streak.

VC would take the lead for good at No. 4 singles thanks to a straight set win by Flournoy, as she swept the first set 6-0 before earning a 7-5 win in the second set to put the Brewers up 3-2. Vassar pulled to within one point of clinching the match at No. 2 singles, as Becker picked up a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jenna Smith to make the tally 4-2.

Needing just one more victory to clinch the upset, Vassar would get it from its No. 6 player in Ivenitsky, who has been very strong at that position this year. The junior defeated Lexie Graham 6-3 in the opening set, and used that momentum to pick up the straight set win with a 6-4 victory in the second, earning the team win for the Brewers.

VC wasn't done there though, as Christensen rebounded from her loss on Sunday to earn a hard-fought victory over Cook at No. 1 singles. Christensen won the first set 6-4, but was topped 6-2 in the second to even the match at a set apiece. The strong junior player was able to regain the upper hand, pulling out a thrilling 10-7 win in the super-tiebreaker.

The longest match of the day was at No. 3, as Edwards and Ellison were nip-and-tuck in a three-set affair. Edwards fell 6-4 in the opening set, but rallied to control the second in a 6-1 score. The two would play a full third set, and Edwards pulled clear with a 6-4 victory in the third to complete the sweep of singles action.

In exhibition action, freshmen Ashley Fair and Vista Grinde earned an 8-6 win for the Brewers, while junior Lauren DiFazio also won a singles exhibition match over Megan Carlson 8-1. Vassar will now have a few days off before returning to the courts on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. PDT to take on the Poets of Whittier College in more non-conference action from Whittier, CA.

Vassar College 7, #38 Hardin-Simmons 2

Mar 13, 2017 at Irvine, CA (University HS)

Singles competition
1. Kate Christensen (VCWT) def. Shayne Cook (HSU) 6-4, 2-6, 10-7
2. Shayna Becker (VCWT) def. Jenna Smith (HSU) 6-3, 6-4
3. Tara Edwards (VCWT) def. Michaela Ellison (HSU) 4-6, 6-1, 6-4
4. Morgane Flournoy (VCWT) def. Hannah Smith (HSU) 6-0, 7-5
5. Connie Yoo (VCWT) def. Jasmine Briant (HSU) 6-1, 6-0
6. Dasha Ivenitsky (VCWT) def. Lexie Graham (HSU) 6-3, 6-4
 
Doubles competition
1. Shayne Cook/Michaela Ellison (HSU) def. Shayna Becker/Tara Edwards (VCWT) 8-6
2. Kate Christensen/Morgane Flournoy (VCWT) def. Kyra Mobley/Jasmine Briant (HSU) 8-3
3. Jenna Smith/Hannah Smith (HSU) def. Dasha Ivenitsky/Connie Yoo (VCWT) 8-5
 
Match Notes
Vassar College 6-2; Regional ranking #17
Hardin-Simmons 7-5; National ranking #38; Regional ranking #12
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (,5,4,2,6,1,3)

T-3:00 A-45