THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke kicks off its spring slate versus Bates College today at the Kendall Sports and Dance Complex Field House. After topping the Bobcats three straight times around the turn of the century, the Lyons have fallen in each of the previous seven meetings between the teams. They suffered a 7-2 setback last season despite strong performances from Maya Sayarath and Eman Malik.
THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (4-7, 3-4 NEWMAC) advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament for the eighth season in a row, falling 5-1 to Wheaton College in the Quarterfinals. Over the course of the fall, the Lyons earned victories over St. Joseph College, Smith College, Clark University and Springfield College. They were paced by Kelsey Brower and Heather Richardson, who went 7-3 at number three doubles. Nahrhee Han and AnnElizabeth Konkel split 10 matches at number one doubles, while Sarah Anischik and Maya Sayarath earned a pair of wins at number two doubles. In singles play, Konkel racked up six victories, and Sayarath added five.
THE BOBCATS: Bates (1-2, 0-0 NESCAC) got its season underway with three matches in Southern California late last month. After rolling to a 6-3 triumph over Occidental College, the Bobcats were downed 8-1 by the University of Redlands and 9-0 by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Their projected singles lineup includes Elena Mandzhukova, Meg Anderson, Jacquelyn Holmes, Erika Blauth, Audrey Grauer and Lucy Brennan. Meanwhile, their probable doubles pairings are Mandzhukova and Andrerson, Blauth and Kristen Doerer and Holmes and Brennan.
NEXT UP: Bates will stay remain in South Hadley to face off against Smith College this afternoon at 2:30. Meanwhile, Mount Holyoke is scheduled to host Connecticut College on March 31 at 10:30 a.m.
