Women’s tennis brings home NEAC championship
The women’s tennis team ended a very successful season this past Sunday. They swept Johnson State College in the semi-finals and defeated Colby-Sawyer in the North Eastern Atlantic Conference championship in New London N.H.
The semifinal tournament that started at 10 a.m. at Kelsey Courts went much like the rest of the lady Spartan’s season as they dominated the competition.
“The team is so unique in that they focus so intently on game day. Determination describes this team,” said head coach Rob Purdy. “We go into every match thinking we can and should win. They are literally fearless.”
The finals started at 2 p.m., and it was a tough tournament for the Spartans. Cold weather and wind made for bad playing conditions, but that didn’t stop the Spartans from coming out on top.
The tournament started with doubles matches where the Spartans came out with an early lead having two wins and one loss. Chelsea Crehan and Brittni Racine beat Ellen Gaham and Siobhan Masse 8-0, Olga McIntyre and Felicia West beat Kathleen Rogers and Ari Marks 8-6. Then Kate Bucci and Michelle Podnecky were defeated by Liz Lincoln and Claire Toffey 8-2.
In singles Crehan and Racine won the fifth and third flights, giving Castleton a 4-3 lead. Castleton’s powerhouse, Podnecky, was defeated by Lincoln, tying the matchup at 4-4.
It was all up to Bucci to bring Castleton the title.
Bucci was matched up against Claire Toffey, who won the first set 5-7. Bucci came back and won the second set 7-6. The final set had to be moved indoors as the sun went down and four hours of play could not determine a champion.
Bucci won the final set and match 7-5, earning the title of MVP and crowning the Castleton woman’s tennis team the NEAC division championship.
“They had to work hard and earn it this year,” Purdy said. “I think for everyone that’s lot more satisfying.”
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