Powered by strong efforts from each end of the lineup, the Mount Holyoke tennis team qualified for the NEWMAC Tournament for the 10th straight season, while putting forth a third-place finish at the Seven Sisters Championship.
Guided by 20th-year head coach Aldo Santiago, the Lyons posted an 11-9 overall record and were fifth in the NEWMAC with a 4-4 mark. MHC opened the season with an 8-1 victory at home against UMass-Boston.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout much of September as MHC rebounded from several tough losses to record victories against St. Joseph (9-0), Emerson (6-3) and Smith (9-0). Leading the way was senior captain Eman Malik, who recorded a 6-1 record during the seven-match stretch – her only loss coming against eventual-NEWMAC champion, MIT.
The Lyons saw solid success to conclude September as three players headed to the ITA New England Regionals. Malik advanced to the consolation singles after posting an opening 6-2, 6-1 win.
Mount Holyoke headed into the final stretch before playoffs on a high note, going 2-1 with wins over Clark (9-0) and Springfield (8-1) to secure its spot in the NEWMAC Tournament. The Lyons faced a tough-draw in the quarterfinals, shouldering a 6-0 loss at Babson to conclude the fall season.
The Lyons burst into spring action ready to go. Despite an opening loss to nationally-ranked Bates, MHC battled back with victories over Colby-Sawyer (9-0) and Connecticut College (6-3). The wins set a good tone as Mount Holyoke travelled to Bryn Mawr to take part in the 2014 Seven Sisters Championship.
Action at this year's event saw the Lyons finish third overall with a 2-2 mark. MHC defeated the host Owls (4-1) and Smith (5-0), led by Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team selection Malik and senior captain AnnElizabeth Konkel. The duo combined for a 2-2 mark in doubles competition.
Mount Holyoke concluded its 2013-14 campaign on a strong note, posting a 5-4 victory over a tough Roger Williams squad. The Lyons saw sophomore Margaux Holloschutz, junior Sarah Anischik, Malik and sophomore Michelle Cai all post critical singles wins, while Malik and Konkel combined for the key doubles point in the first flight.
Among the accolades the Lyons received in 2013-14 included four selections to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team. Those honored were Anischik, Cai, Konkel and senior Maya Sayarath. Additionally, Konkel, Sayarath and senior Kelsey Brower were Seven Sisters Senior Scholar Athletes.
• Finished fifth in the NEWMAC standings
• Beat Emerson College, Clark University, Smith College & Springfield College in NEWMAC
• Advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament for the 10th straight year
• Finished third at the Seven Sisters Championships
• Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team – Eman Malik '14 & AnnElizabeth Konkel '14
• NEWMAC Academic All-Conference – Sarah Anischik '15, Kelsey Brower '14, Jenni Lee '15, Maya Sayarath '14
• ITA National Academic (Awarded in Fall of 2013 for 2012-13 squad) – Sarah Anischik '15, Jenni Lee '15, My-Linh Nguyen '13, AnnElizabeth Konkel '14, Maya Sayarath '14, Michelle Cai '16
