MEDFORD, Mass. (3/1/2026) - The Nichols College women's tennis team traveled to Medford, Massachusetts this Sunday to face No. 15 Tufts University in their first match-up following their break between the fall. The Bison were ultimately defeated by the Jumbos at the Vouté Courts, and dealt a 0-7 loss.
With the conclusion of the game, Nichols' record drops to 14-2 for the 2025-26 season, having their conference record see no change. Tufts improves to a 2-0 start following their two games today.
Doubles competition proved to be a challenge to start the day. Courts No. 1 to No. 3 featured pairings of Kamora Helton and Pamela Gonzalez Vallardi, Charis Vogler and Cora Brosch, and Erin Helly and Cassie Rice. Court No. 1 saw strong play from Helton and Gonzalez Vallardi, but ultimately finishing to a close 3-6 loss as the last court to wrap up doubles play. With the Jumbos already securing wins on both the No. 2 and No. 3 courts, a win would still have the doubles point in the hands of Tufts. The Jumbos pushed into singles play with the doubles point in their favor.
The high-level of competition that made gaining an edge difficult in doubles play carried over for singles action, with the Bison finding difficulty in being able to secure a point. Unable to capture a set on any court, the Bison were defeated once the Jumbos were able to secure three points to start singles. Helton continued to play despite the advantage Tufts was able to put up, and featured a close second set (3-6) but ultimately ended with a loss. The last two courts saw an early end as the Jumbos had already won following their wins on previous courts.
The Nichols College women's tennis team is set to return to the court at a neutral site as part of its Spring Break trip to Orlando, Florida. The Bison will take on Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) at the USTA National Campus on Tuesday, March 10. Match time is still to be announced.
Doubles
Kamora Helton / Pamela Gonzalez Vallardi loss to Natalie Hu / Athena Li, 3-6
Charis Vogler / Cora Brosch loss to Nikki Kintiroglou / Ryan Wuhrman, 1-6
Erin Helly / Cassie Rice loss to Kyra McCandless / Alyssa Khou, 1-6
Singles
Kamora Helton loss to Melanie Woodbury, 0-6, 3-6
Charis Vogler loss to Kyra McCandless, 1-6, 0-6
Pamela Gonzalez Vallardi loss to Nikki Kintiroglou, 1-6, 1-6
Cora Brosch loss to Ryan Wuhrman, 1-6 (ret.)
Erin Helly loss to Evelina Anastasi, 0-6, 0-6
Cassie Rice loss to Steffy Jullian (ret.)
