WORCESTER, Mass. – The Nichols College women's tennis team improved to 4-0 on the season, coming from behind to defeat Clark University, 5-4, Wednesday evening. With the victory, head coach Paul Brower becomes the winningest coach in women's tennis program history.
In his fifth season at the helm of the program, Brower's career record improves to 26-34, eclipsing Ed Socha, who posted a 25-44 record from 1996-2001. Last season, Brower led the Bison to a program-record nine wins on the season, a second-straight postseason appearance, and Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic Team status.
Jessica Porter (Melrose, Mass.) sealed the match for the Bison at No. 1 singles, defeating Rebecca Friedberg, 7-5, 6-3. With the win, the senior won her 35th career singles match, tying the program's career singles victories record set by Christina Cabral from 1999-2002.
Clark (0-2) took a 2-1 lead after doubles play, taking points at first and third doubles. Maria Balabanova (Moscow, Russia) and Molly McGuire (East Sandwich, Mass.) defeated Emily Schweitzer and Willa Dunn, 8-3, at second doubles for the lone Nichols point.
Rebecca Friedberg and Phoebe Livingston handed Porter and Chelsey Miller (Salem, Conn.) their first loss of the season at No. 1 doubles, 8-4, and Andrea Nathan and Julia Bergeron picked up an 8-0 win at No. 3 doubles over Marissa McLaughlin (Hollis, N.H.) and Deirdre Watkins (Hubbardston, Mass.).
McGuire defeated Emily Schweitzer, 6-2, 6-1, at No. 2 singles to improve to 4-0 on the season, while Miller handed Willa Dunn a 6-1, 6-1 loss in the third singles spot.
Julia Bergeron defeated Balabanova at No. 4 singles, 6-4, 6-4, but Kelsey Urbanetti (Glastonbury, Conn.) won in the fifth singles spot over Andrea Nathan, 6-3, 6-4. Phoebe Livingston got a victory at No. 6 singles when Emily Levine (Providence, R.I.) retired in the second set.
Nichols hosts Colby-Sawyer in a rescheduled TCCC match Thursday at 3:30 p.m. before hosting Regis on Saturday at noon for a conference tilt.
Tennis Match Results
Sep 10, 2008 at Worcester, MA
Nichols 5, Clark University 4
Singles competition:
1. Jessica Porter (NC) def. Rebecca Friedberg (CLK) 7-5, 6-3
2. Molly McGuire (NC) def. Emily Schweitzer (CLK) 6-2, 6-1
3. Chelsey Miller (NC) def. Willa Dunn (CLK) 6-1, 6-1
4. Julia Bergeron (CLK) def. Maria Balabanova (NC) 6-4, 6-4
5. Kelsey Urbanetti (NC) def. Andrea Nathan (CLK) 6-3, 6-4
6. Phoebe Livingston (CLK) def. Emily Levine (NC) 6-1, retired
Doubles competition:
1. Rebecca Friedberg/Phoebe Livingston (CLK) def. Jessica Porter/Chelsey Miller (NC) 8-4
2. Maria Balabanova/Molly McGuire (NC) def. Emily Schweitzer/Willa Dunn (CLK) 8-3
3. Andrea Nathan/Julia Bergeron (CLK) def. Marissa McLaughlin/Deirdre Watkins (NC) 8-0
