CHAMPIONS: Women’s Tennis Wins First Little East Conference Crown
For the first time in the 27-year history of the program, UMass Boston Women's Tennis are Little East Conference Champions.
The Beacons bested Rhode Island College 5-2 on the BC High Tennis Courts on Saturday; Rhode Island College had previously won five consecutive LEC titles and was appearing in their seventh straight championship match.
"This is a historic moment for women's tennis, the program’s first-ever LEC Title. We set our goal on the first day of the season, and we could not be happier about how we finished,” Coach Harshana Godamanna said. “I’m very proud of the whole team for performing under pressure, and for all they have done to make this happen.”
Freshman Ayra Shaikh and junior Yana Semerly took the #2 Doubles in dominant fashion for the second consecutive week, 8-1 to give UMass Boston their first victory of the day. In the #1 Doubles, juniors Lydia Chan and Meagan Carney pulled off an upset win, 8-6, putting the Beacons in the driver seat, 2-0.
The third rematch from last weekend would also go the Beacons way as sophomores Elena Albano and Ayonna Stuppard won 8-7 in the #3 Doubles after going to a tiebreaker set. On the verge of their first title, Shaikh won the #3 Singles, 6-1 and 6-1 to bring the Beacons within one win of the LEC crown.
A few minutes later, the Beacons would storm the court and celebrate as Lydia Chan won in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-0, to capture the fifth win UMass Boston would need to capture their first Little East Conference Title.
The Beacons will await the NCAA Tournament bracket, which will come out next May, but are slated to play a handful of home matches during the spring, starting with Wheaton College at home on March 23, 2023.
“Thank you to the UMass Boston community for coming out and giving us the energy,” Godamanna said. “Go Beacons!”
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