Final Results

Meadville, Pa. – The Oberlin College women's tennis team pulled out a thrilling victory over host Allegheny College in an important North Coast Athletic Conference match-up. The Yeowomen narrowly escaped earning a 5-4 win. 

Oberlin held a 4-2 advantage following singles action and looked to be in control of the match heading into doubles play. The Yeowomen earned wins in the top four singles spots then dropped two doubles match to allow the Gator women back in the match. In a battle of No. 1 doubles teams it looked like Allegheny might earn the win to seal the match but a strong comeback effort by Ariel Lewis and Finley Gates preserved the win. 

Lewis picked up her 18th win of the year defeating Lauren Kristofco in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. 

Hitting in the No. 2 spot Gates earned her second straight win using strong play in the second and third sets. She fell behind to Sara Longo dropping the first set 6-4 but then came back with identical 6-3 wins in the second and third. 

Preeya Shah, a consistent performer this season for the Yeowomen, defeated Elyse Schmitt at No. 3 6-3, 6-3. 

The No. 4 match-up between Carolyn Ball and Janna Dickerson provided the most excitement during singles action. Ball struggled early with Dickerson earning a 6-1 first set win; however, she was apparently just warming up as she was able to fight off four match points in the second set to secure a 7-5 win. The third set between the two was played just as evenly but Ball would earn a 7-6 (7-4) to provide Oberlin with a two point cushion heading into doubles action. 

Allegheny defeated the Yeowomen's second doubles pairing and needed extra games to get past Rebecca Brown and Julie Christensen 9-7 in the third position to even the match at 4-4 with only the No. 1 doubles match left on court. 

OC's Lewis and Gates found themselves in a hole down 6-3 to Kristofco and Longo but managed to overcome the deficit earning the comeback win 9-8 for their thirteenth win together in the top spot. 

“The effort today by the girls was tremendous. It looked like we might walk away with the match and then before you knew it we had to fight. Carolyn's comeback was great; she showed poise and determination today. Then we got a great effort from our No. 1 doubles to clinch the match,” said Head Coach Constantine Ananiadis following the NCAC match. 

Oberlin (11-8, 3-0 NCAC East) will now prepare to face Kenyon College in a match-up that will determine the No. 1 seed from the Eastern Division heading into the conference tournament. Kenyon will travel to Oberlin Tuesday, April 27th for a 4:30 p.m. match.