SOUTH HADLEY, MA (April 8, 2017) – The Vassar College women's tennis team, in search of back-to-back-to-back Seven Sisters Championships, got off to a good start in its attempt to defend its crown with 5-0 wins Saturday over Bryn Mawr College and Smith College in action from Mount Holyoke College.
 
In the first match of the day, the Brewers (12-2) had no problems getting by the Owls of Bryn Mawr in the modified scoring system. In Seven Sisters Championship events, players can only play either singles or doubles and cannot repeat in a single match. VC showed its depth on Saturday, as the Brewers sent freshman Tara Edwards out to No. 1 singles and she rolled to a 6-1, 6-0 win.
 
Senior captain Connie Yoo continued her strong play, upping her win streak to eight matches with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles over Abbygail Brewster of BMC. At No. 3 singles, junior Lauren DiFazio eked out a 7-5 win in the first set, rolling to a 6-1 victory in the second to lift VC to a sweep of singles.
 
In doubles action against Bryn Mawr (1-6), Morgane Flournoy and Shayna Becker chalked up a 6-4, 6-2 win at the No. 1 doubles position over Lizzie Siegle and Sydney Kim of Bryn Mawr, while freshmen pair Ashley Fair and Vista Grinde knocked off Eram Haider and Mariam Haider 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles.
 
In the nightcap for the Brewers against Smith (4-10), Vassar again cruised to the win though the matches at No. 1 and No. 2 singles were very competitive. Edwards would pair with Flournoy in No. 1 doubles to earn a quick 6-0, 6-1 win, while junior Dasha Ivenitsky and Grinde posted a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles.
 
In No. 1 singles, junior Kate Christensen dropped the first set 4-6, but rallied to pick up a 4-6, 7-5, 10-5 win over Noa Dubin of Smith. At No. 2, things were equally as tight, as Becker knocked off Margaret Anne Smith 6-2 in the first, but fell 6-3 in the second. In the final set, Becker would control the super-tiebreaker 10-4 to help Vassar sweep the day.

"We played very smart tennis using with everyone on the team contributing wins in Saturday's matches," said head coach Kathy Campbell. "The team is playing very inspired tennis and the positive & fighting spirit is evident."
 
In other action, Wellesley knocked off Mount Holyoke 3-2, while defeating Smith 4-1, and Mount Holyoke topped Bryn Mawr, 5-0. The Brewers will take on Mount Holyoke at noon Sunday, before taking on Wellesley College at 3 p.m. in the final match of the Championships.
 
#39 Vassar College 5, Bryn Mawr 0
Apr 08, 2017 at South Hadley, Mass. (Kendall Field House Courts)
Singles competition
1. Tara Edwards (VCWT) def. Caroline Horvatits (BMC) 6-1, 6-0
2. Connie Yoo (VCWT) def. Abbygail Brewster (BMC) 6-0, 6-0
3. Lauren DiFazio (VCWT) def. Francesca Caramazza (BMC) 7-5, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Morgane Flournoy/Shayna Becker (VCWT) def. Lizzie Siegle/Sydney Kim (BMC) 6-4, 6-2
2. Vista Grinde/Ashley Fair (VCWT) def. Eram Haider/Mariam Haider (BMC) 6-1, 6-0
 
Match Notes
Bryn Mawr 1-6
Vassar College 11-2; National ranking #39
Seven Sisters Tennis Championship - Game 3
Official: J. Doherty, M. Ruben
 
#39 Vassar College 5, Smith College 0
Apr 08, 2017 at South Hadley, Mass. (Kendall Field House Courts)
Singles competition
1. Kate Christensen (VCWT) def. Noa Dubin (SMI) 4-6, 7-5, 10-5
2. Shayna Becker (VCWT) def. Margaret Anne Smith (SMI) 6-2, 3-6, 10-4
3. Vista Grinde (VCWT) def. Samira Mehta (SMI) 6-0, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. Tara Edwards/Morgane Flournoy (VCWT) def. Emma Essenmacher/Kara Van Allen (SMI) 6-0, 6-1
2. Dasha Ivenitsky/Vista Grinde (VCWT) def. Tess Ostoyich/Leigh Johnston (SMI) 6-2, 6-1
 
Match Notes
Vassar College 12-2; National ranking #39
Smith College 4-10
Seven Sisters Tennis Championship - Game 5
Official: J. Doherty, M. Ruben