Smith Tennis dominated the UMass Boston team in the opening dual match play today 8-1. The Beacons took on the Mount Holyoke Lyons earlier in the day before arriving to the Smith campus on the hot early September afternoon and the Pioneers never let the Beacons recover momentum.
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| Margaret Anne Smith |
With a moving introductory beginning, of Captain and junior Margaret Anne Smith singing the national anthem, the Smith team was ready to go. Captains Margaret Anne and Samantha Peikes led the young Smith squad each winning in their respective doubles positions. Margaret Anne never dropped a game in either her singles or doubles. She partnered with Noa Dubin to claim an 8-0 win at first doubles and went on to defeat Kathleen Conroy 6-0, 6-0 at number three singles. Sam and Janan Fugel took their opponents 8-5. Sam then defeated Logan Smith at number 2 singles 6-0, 6-0. Morgan Barney and Annina van Riper, two first years, gained an 8-4 win at third doubles. Noa Dubin (first year and sister of former tennis team member, Jordan Dubin) anchored number one singles and doubles and brought in a victory in each. First years Janan Fugel, Morgan Barney and Annina van Riper rounded out the singles line-up. Janan used her cagey slice to take her opponent 7-5, 6-1. Morgan rallied long and hard changing pace at the right times and giving her a 6-4, 6-0 victory. Annina pulled her opponent out of position time and again but Kelsey Shea of UMass Boston managed to claim the lone point for the Beacons with a 6-2, 6-4 win. The only draw back of the day was moving indoors due to thunder and the threat of rain. The move temporarily halted the Smith momentum as the transition was made and the nets indoors were put up. The Pioneers showed their resolve early this season by adjusting and picking up where they left off and finishing strong.
A special thanks to our assistant coaches, Caitlyn Lawrence and Chuck Johnson, who guided the team with discernment and encouragement throughout the day and for our tennis friends, Hank and Richard, who not only cheered for Smith but helped make the tradition from outdoor to indoor as seamless as possible!
Smith will host conference opponent, Wellesley College, on Saturday, Sept 5 at 1pm.
