Our Season Inspiration

You will find no better competitor in all of division III tennis then Alanna Dick. The lone senior on the Smith Tennis Team this year, Alanna played with integrity, heart and persistence in every match. She embodies the Smith tennis philosophy of grace, integrity and passion. She always gave her "all" and then some. She motivated, encouraged and set the tone for Smith Tennis for seasons to come. Alanna's determination was a motivating factor for all of us. Thank you, Alanna!

Smith Tennis Ends With 500 Record For The Year

Smith Tennis finished the year 2009-2010 seasons with a 9-9 record. The last match of the spring season was on Saturday, April 24 at home. The Pioneers came into the match with Simmons with a 3-0 winning streak but could not hold on against the Simmons team losing 3-6 in a long, evenly matched battle. Smith had high hopes entering the last match of the season but Simmons had other ideas. Smith was missing Clair Oblamski, who plays the top doubles position and third singles. Her absence caused the Pioneers to juggle doubles partners and push individuals up in singles. The match started off with Smith picking up two doubles wins early followed by Nikki Anderson decisively winning at 2d singles. The score remained 3-1 for over half the match until Simmons made their move in singles counterpunching their way past the Pioneers. Coach Davis describes this Smith Tennis Team as “cohesive and resilient and continuing to improve. We are a work in progress and with the majority of the team returning in the fall, Smith Tennis will be a major contender in the NEWMAC conference”. For now, what is remaining, is the time to share stories and memories at the traditional athletic banquet and the tennis dinner at Edgar’s house! The team has many fun stories to tell and all agree that this was a successful season for Smith Tennis.

Smith Tennis Players Show Off Other Talents

The Smith Tennis Team took their athleticism to the golf driving range for the afternoon. A cross training fun excursion turned into talent scouting in case Smith decides to support a golf team. The tennis team will return to the courts on Thursday for a scrimmage with Amherst College. The final match of the spring season is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 at 1pm vs Simmons College on Smith's home courts. Senior, Alanna Dick, will be honored for her contribution to the Smith Tennis Teams over the past four years. In addition, Liz Carr, faculty mentor, will be thanked for her support of the tennis team the past two years. We wish both the very best in their futures.

The match on Saturday April 24 will be an historic match because it will be the final match at the 12 court facility. Smith will lose a tennis court this spring to make room for the new turf field.

Smith Tennis wins three in a row!

Smith defeated Union College on Saturday April 17 on their home courts. The Smith team started with a 3-0 lead in doubles. The number one doubles team of Alanna Dick and Clair Oblamski set the tone with their high energy and ability to "dig" out the tough points. Playing on the indoor courts gave them the advantage of running down every ball and that is what they did. No ball bounced twice on their court and they finished off each point with certainty and strong offensive put away shots. Their opponents were hard hitters and the Smith duo was ready for the pace and won 8-6.

Clair Oblamski was the first singles player off the court at number 2 singles with a 6-3, 6-1 win. Clair mixed up the pace and kept her aggressive net play frustrating her opponent and dominating the match from the start.

Jaimi Inskeep at number 1 singles was the inspirational player for the day being down 1-5 in the first set and coming back to win it 7-5. She lost the second set bringing the match decision to a match breaker for the third set. Jaimi got down in the breaker but came back to win the tiebreaker and the match!! It was a great match for Jaimi and a great comeback. Jaimi played with persistence and consistency sustaining an even temperament throughout. I believe that Jaimi would agree that this was one of her best wins this year.

Alanna Dick also played with determination to win a tough match at three singles. She worked very hard countering every effort her opponent made to run her off the court and pass her. Alanna gained confidence and momentum throughout the match and won 6-4, 6-1.

Maggie Steiner met the same opponent she faced last year but Maggie was ready for the task and took an early lead never having to look back. Maggie won 6-0, 6-4 at number four singles.

Eunice Zhao pulled in her first significant singles win in a tough battle that went down to a tiebreaker in each set. Eunice was the lone match on the court at the end of the day but stayed the course and won!

Congrats to Smith Tennis!

Smith Tennis Posts Two Wins

The Smith Tennis Team came out strong on April 10. The first opponent of the day was conference team, Springfield College. The Pioneers got off to a slower doubles start than usual as The Pride took two of the three doubles matches. The Smith team jumped into the singles with determination and Clair Oblamski and Alanna Dick posted two wins. Jaimi Inskeep split sets but found the key by winning the third set tiebreaker 10-0 (actually 11-0 :D). Maggie Steiner, co-captain, brought in the team win after a long battle that tested Maggie's patience and perserverance.
The Pioneers went on in the afternoon to take on Roger Williams on the Smith courts. The match started indoors as Smith swept the doubles! The singles moved outdoors and was a battle but Clair Oblamski, Maggie Steiner, Rachel Canfora and Nawal Mays all brought in a point for Smith giving the Pioneers a 7-2 victory.

Beyond the Seven Sisters'

Smith Tennis finished fourth in the Seven Sisters' with many close matches. The event went to Vassar in a tight match with Wellesley in the finals. Smith is already looking to improve their finish next year!

Following the Seven Sisters' Championship, the team took a four day break to catch up on academic requirements. In that interim, Alanna Dick, Jaimi Inskeep and Rosie Taylor were honored at the Academic luncheon in early April for being able to balance a strong academic gpa with intercollegiate athletics. This is a very special honor given to Smith athletes. Alanna ,senior on the tennis team, was also honored for her overall commitment to Smith tennis as a scholar athlete.

April 10, Smith will host Roger Williams and Springfield Colleges in a double header dual match. Check out www.smith.edu/athletics for all results.