NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (Sept. 27, 2011) – Led by junior Nahrhee Han and sophomore AnnElizabeth Konkel, the Mount Holyoke College tennis team picked up a dramatic 5-4 victory over longtime rival Smith College this evening. Both players prevailed at singles and doubles for the Lyons, who snapped a five-match slide and earned their first NEWMAC win of the season. It was their fourth straight triumph over the Pioneers.

Mount Holyoke took control of the contest with a pair of doubles victories. Han and Konkel got things going with an 8-3 win at the top of the lineup. Meanwhile, sophomore Maya Sayarath and first year Sarah Anischik came out on top 8-6 in their number two tilt.

Smith's number three doubles tandem of Eunice Zhao and Bayla Weick got their team on the board with an 8-5 win.

The Pioneers (0-4, 0-4 NEWMAC) proceeded to take the first three singles points to go in front 4-2. Clair Oblamski, Weick and Jaimi Inskeep each won in straight sets at numbers two, three and four, respectively.

With their backs against the wall, the Lyons came through in a big way.

Han ignited the comeback with a 6-4, 6-2 win at the top of the lineup. Senior Sarah Moore followed with a 6-4, 6-3 victory at the bottom to set the stage for what proved to be a thrilling finish.

All eyes then turned to the number five contest between Konkel and Zhao, who battled through three sets to determine the outcome of the match. Konkel took the first set in a tiebreaker before falling 6-1 in the second. She then came out on top 6-3 in the third set to seal things for the Lyons (2-5, 1-3 NEWMAC). It was her fourth singles triumph of the fall.

Both squads are slated to compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Championships this weekend. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Friday and run through Sunday at Bates College.