Caryn Benisch '09

LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates College women's tennis team defeated visiting Smith College on Saturday at the Merrill Indoor Gymnasium by a decisive 9-0 score for the Bobcats' first team victory of the spring season.

Bates sophomore Caryn Benisch (Huntington, N.Y.) won her first match playing at the No. 1 singles position, a spot formerly occupied by junior Cecilia Grissa, who is studying abroad this semester. Benisch defeating Smith's Seiko Fujii by a 3-6, 6-1 (10-5) score to set the winning tone.

"We played with a lot of positive intensity," said head coach Paul Gastonguay of his team.

The Bates women (3-2) next play at Brandeis on March 24 at noon.

Bates 9, Smith 0

Doubles

1. Caryn Benisch/Laura Harris (B) def. Catherine Lydecker/Kate Johnson (S), 8-1

2. Alex Piacquad/Mallika Raghavan (B) def. Seiko Fujii/Miya Kikuchi (S), 8-4

3. Julie Brown/Laura Will (B) def. Alanna Dick/Francesca Albrezzi (S), 8-4

Singles

1. Benisch def. Fujii, 3-6, 6-1 (10-5)

2. Piacquad def. Kikuchi, 6-2, 7-5

3. Raghavan def. Johnson, 6-0, 6-1

4. Harris def. Lydecker, 6-0, 6-1

5. Brown def. Albrezzi, 6-3, 6-3

6. Will def. Vida Chen, 6-3, 4-6 (10-7)