DUDLEY, Mass. (10/19/24) - Conference of New England Rookie of the Year Kamora Helton clinched the Championship point, as the top-seeded Nichols College women's tennis program captured their sixth conference title and first Conference of New England crown, dethroning No. 3 Endicott College by a 4-0 score on Saturday afternoon at the Robinson Tennis Courts.
For the Bison, it is their first championship crown since the 2018-19 season. With the win, Nichols punches their ticket to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Tournament next spring.
"We felt really good going into this season", said CNE Coach of the Year Ron Gendron. There was had a strong feeling that even with new additions to our program, everyone who had remained with the team had also improved from last season. Above all else, there was undeniable excitement about seeing how capable we could become as a group. Throughout our tough regular season schedule, we knew we had something truly special with this team."
The Bison kicked off the excitement by claiming the early doubles point. On court two, the freshman duo of Helton and Pamela Gonzalez Vallardi gave Nichols the early edge after they won 6-2. On court two, seniors Johanna Schroeder and Antonia Carrero, the CNE's Player of the Year, won 6-3 to clinch the doubles point for the Bison.
The Bison then shifted their focus to claiming the three wins needed in singles play. On court two, junior Charis Vogler dominated with a 6-1, 6-0 win at the No. 5 position, increasing Nichols' lead to 2-0 in the match. Carrero then followed with her own stellar performance on court two, winning by scores of 6-1, 6-1, before Helton clinched the match at the top flight by matching scores of 6-2 in both sets.
Vogler was tabbed the CNE Tournament MVP with her No. 5 singles victory for the Bison.
The Bison close the Fall season with an 11-3 (7-0 CNE) overall record. They will pick play back up in the spring of 2025 in preparation for their NCAA Tournament appearance.
