SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 12, 2010) – First year Maya Sayarath and senior Elise Marifian propelled the Mount Holyoke College women's tennis team to a thrilling 5-4 triumph over Springfield College this afternoon at the Appleton Tennis Courts. With the win, the Lyons secured a spot in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament for the seventh straight season.
After teaming up for a 9-7 victory in their number three doubles match, Sayarath and Marifian each prevailed in their respective singles contests to help clinch things for Mount Holyoke.
Springfield (3-6, 2-4 NEWMAC) came out on top in two of three doubles matches to gain control in the early going. Seniors Amy Shaw and Kyla Walgren got things going with an 8-5 win at the number one spot, while sophomore Sam Carney and first year Jen Cleary matched the feat in their number two tilt. Sayarath and Marifian got the Lyons on the board with their win at the number three slot.
The teams were knotted up at two points apiece following Sayarath's convincing 6-1, 6-0 win at number three singles, but Shaw prevailed 6-0, 6-3 in her number one singles contest to put Springfield back in front. With her win, Sayarath improved to 7-2 in dual matches this fall.
Refusing to give in, Mount Holyoke once again tied things up by way of a 6-4, 6-0 victory by junior Sarah Moore at the number five spot. Her fourth win of the season set up an epic finish.
Sophomore Erin Woodbury held off junior Heather Richardson 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (7-3) in their number four matchup to put the Pride in front 4-3.
From there, it was all Mount Holyoke. The Lyons prevailed in the final two singles matches to seal things. They pulled even on a 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 win by first year AnnElizabeth Konkel at the number six slot. Then, with the match on the line, Marifian came through with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 triumph in her number two contest against Carney. It was her third victory of the season.
Mount Holyoke (3-6, 3-4 NEWMAC) will return to action this weekend, when it participates in the New England Women's Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament. The event is slated to take place from Friday through Sunday on the campuses of Mount Holyoke, Amherst College, Hampshire College and Smith College.
