A key bounceback win for CMS against Middlebury

(Watch Postmatch Interview)

CLAREMONT, Calif. – A day after a tough 5-4 loss at Pomona-Pitzer, the No. 3 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's tennis team defeated No. 7 Middlebury 6-3 for a much needed win, April 2 at the Biszantz Family Tennis Center. After winning nine matches in a row, CMS entered the match having lost three of its last four, but on Saturday, it had two dominant doubles wins and took four of six singles en route to the win. CMS is now 12-4 on the season.

The Athenas had 8-2 wins at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. Senior Caroline Ward (CMC) and junior Katie Kuosman (CMC) put CMS ahead with their win over Middlebury's top doubles team, Ria Gerger and Kaysee Orozco. Sophomore Lindsay Brown (CMC) and sophomore Bria Smith (CMC) also had a decisive win as they were victorious over Lauren Amos and Alexandra Fields. Lily Bondy and Sadie Shackelford earned Middlebury's lone doubles point, 8-3, over sophomore Kyla Scott (HMC) and freshman Jessie Cruz (CMC).

Cruz and Scott's loss in doubles did not faze them however as they both came back in singles and earned crucial wins for the Athenas. Brown put CMS ahead 3-1 as she eased her way to a 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 3 singles against Bondy. Shortly thereafter, Cruz pulled out a 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 comeback victory to put CMS within a point of clinching the victory. Scott then sealed the win for the Athenas with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 win over Christina Puccinelli at No. 4 singles. At No. 2 singles, Kuosman won her match as well in comeback fashion, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 against Fields.

Gerger (No. 1 singles) and Orozco (No. 6 singles) earned points for Middlebury (5-2).

The Athenas host conference foe Redlands (April 8) and NCAA Division II Azusa Pacific (April 9) next.

Results

By Chris Watts
Director of Athletics Communication
Claremont McKenna College

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