Lions Invade Faulkner Courts
SWARTHMORE, Pa. -- The 17th-ranked Garnet women (8-5, 6-1 CC) lost a hard fought match to the 23rd ranked College of New Jersey Lions (14-1) Friday afternoon on sunny Faulkner Courts, falling 5-4. Rachel Wallwork '10, Sara Sargent '07, and Jamie Midyette '08 (pictured) pulled out wins in their singles matches for Swarthmore.
The Garnet took the early lead when Erica Lukoski '08 and Marissa Matthews '07 overpowered their opponents at the No. 3 doubles' spot. Matthews battled Stefanie Haar and Haley Kutner from the baseline, while Lukoski maintained smart, aggressive play at the net. The pair dominated, beating the Lions 8-5.
The lead soon favored the Lions, as the Swarthmore No.1 and 2 doubles teams each lost 8-6.
The Garnet tried to shake it off, but almost all the singles players faced early deficits. At the No.3 spot, Wallwork garnered enough energy and momentum to steal the lead from her opponent, and finished her match in two sets.
Midyette, playing at No.6, shook off her 3-0 deficit to take the first set 6-4. She manipulated each rally, and trumped her opponent 6-0 to tie up the match, 3-3.
Even though Sargent overcame a set deficit to win 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-3) at No. 5 singles, the match had been decided.
The Garnet will travel to Franklin & Marshall on Saturday, and then to McDaniel on Sunday. The contests begin at 1pm.