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It was an outstanding season for the Mount Holyoke tennis team, going 14-9 overall and 5-3 in NEWMAC action. Under the direction of 23rd-year head coach Aldo Santiago, the Lyons posted a win in the NEWMAC Quarterfinals to advance to the Semifinals for the second straight season and the sixth time in program history.
The Lyons opened the 2015-16 campaign on a hot streak, going 4-0 to kick off the season. MHC opened with a 9-0 win over UMass-Boston and got its NEWMAC slate going with a 9-0 victory over Wheaton. After a 7-2 victory against Simmons, the Lyons moved to 2-0 in conference play with a 9-0 win at Emerson.
MHC suffered a pair of setbacks soon after against the conference's top teams, shouldering 9-0 losses to both Wellesley and MIT, but closed out the month with a 7-2 win against area-rival, Smith College. The Lyons also saw senior captain Margaux Holloschutz and first year Ayame Yazawa play at the ITA New England Regionals. The duo were unable to get the win in doubles and both fell in singles action, despite a hard-fought effort from both players.
The Lyons headed into the final stretch before playoffs on a high note, going 2-1 with wins over Clark (9-0) and Springfield (6-3) to secure its spot in the NEWMAC Tournament. The Lyons faced a tough-draw in the quarterfinals, squaring off against Wheaton once again in a Battle of the Lyons. Mount Holyoke proved victorious, winning 5-0 to advance to the semifinals for the second straight season.
In the NEWMAC Semifinals, MHC squared off against the defending champions from MIT once again, suffering a 5-0 loss to conclude the fall season.
The Lyons burst into spring action ready to go. Despite opening losses to Bates and Trinity, MHC bounced back with wins over the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (8-1) and Colby-Sawyer (8-1).
Mount Holyoke headed to Vassar College to take part in the 2016 Seven Sisters Championship. Action at this year's event saw the Lyons finish third overall with a 2-2 mark. MHC defeated Bryn Mawr (4-1) and Smith (3-2), led by Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team selections Holloschutz and Yazawa.
Mount Holyoke concluded its 2015-16 campaign on a strong note, posting a 7-2 win over Gordon College, followed by a 6-3 victory against Endicott to conclude the year on a three-match win streak.
Highlighting this year's outstanding efforts was Yazawa, who posted a 13-8 record in singles action. Senior captain Michelle Cai went 13-9, while sophomore Ishita Tibrewal and first year Clara Wang were both 10-7 in singles on the season.
Doubles action saw junior Amy Chen and Wang go 7-3 overall, while Chen also paired with first year Madison Rosen for an 11-6 mark. Holloschutz and Yazawa went 12-10 overall from the first flight, including an 11-7 dual match record.
Among the accolades the Lyons received in 2015-16 included three selections to the NEWMAC Academic All-Conference Team. Those honored were Cai, Chen and sophomore Katherine Schumacher. Additionally, Cai was named a Seven Sisters Senior Scholar Athlete.
• Finished fourth in the NEWMAC standings
• Beat Wheaton College, Emerson College, Clark University, Smith College & Springfield College in NEWMAC play
• Advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament for the 12th straight year
• Advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament Semifinals for second straight season and the sixth time in program history
• Finished third at the Seven Sisters Championships
• Seven Sisters All-Tournament Team – Margaux Holloschutz '16 & Ayame Yazawa '19
• NEWMAC Academic All-Conference – Michelle Cai '16, Amy Chen '17 & Katherine Schumacher '18
