May 8, 2009

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Endicott College women's tennis team was handed just its second loss of the season as the Gulls fell to Wellesley College in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Friday morning in Williamstown, Mass. The Blue defeated Endicott, 5-0, to move to 18-5 on the season.

Wellesley dominated doubles with first-year Marie Watanabe (Houston, Texas) and junior Meghan Stubblebine (Cumming, Ga.) opening up play with an 8-0 win in the third spot. Seniors Jen Schwarzkopf (Hinsdale, Ill.) and Katelyn Ching (Kaneohe, Hawaii) followed suit, with an 8-1 victory at second doubles. Wrapping up the doubles matches, junior Mohona Siddique (Chevy Chase, Md.) and sophomore Jacqueline Shen (Calgary, Alberta) recorded an 8-3 win in the first flight.

Wellesley needed just two wins in singles play to seal the 5-0 victory in the match that was played to decision. Shen put the Blue ahead, 4-0, after a win at third singles, recording a 6-0, 6-2 win over Lori Wardner (Wrentham, Mass.). Stubblebine then put the match away, defeating Jenna Carme (Greenfield, Mass.), 6-1, 6-2 at sixth doubles.

When the match was stopped, every other Wellesley player was ahead. In first singles, Watanabe was leading 6-1, 4-2, while in the second spot, Siddique held a 6-4, 5-1 advantage. At four, Schwarzkopf was ahead 6-3, 5-0 and at five, Ching was leading 6-0, 5-1.

Wellesley now advances to the second round of play and will take on Middlebury on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. Endicott ends its most successful season at 16-2 overall after capturing its first-ever The Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship.