LEWISTON, Maine – In a monumental achievement for the Bates women's tennis program, the Bobcats toppled No. 16 Williams, 4-3, on Sunday in Merrill Gymnasium. The victory is believed to be Bates' first-ever win over the Ephs and marks the team's first triumph against a Top-25 nationally ranked opponent since defeating No. 23 MIT on March 17, 2012.
Williams set the tone early by taking two of three doubles matches to secure the critical doubles point. The Bobcat duo of
Olivia Gidlow and
Elise Hepburn dominated at No. 2 doubles for the garnet and white, cruising to an impressive 6-1 win over Ahn Lin and Mia Roets.
Bates made up the difference in singles with gritty performances up and down the lineup.
Iris Westmoreland, after edging Julia Zhang by a 7-6 score in the first set of No. 1 singles, turned on the gas to close out the straight-set sweep with a 6-2 clincher in the second frame.
Isabella Saul delivered a three-set thriller at No. 2, grinding out a 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 victory vs. Margaux Molyneux.
Gidlow came through in the clutch at No. 4, rallying from a set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 vs. Jane Ladaga.
Ava Lyon was clinical at No. 6, overpowering Ellie Stark, 6-2, 6-3, for the triumph.
The Ephs (1-3), now 0-3 in NESCAC play, have dropped all three decisions by a 4-3 score.
Bates (4-5, 2-1 NESCAC) next takes to the road for a Friday doubleheader with matches set to take place at both No. 33 Skidmore (10:00 a.m.) and No. 34 RPI (5:00 p.m.).
