AMHERST - Four singles matches went three sets with host Amherst College winning three of them, ultimately making the difference in their 6-3 NESCAC women's tennis victory over Tufts University on Wednesday.
Play started outside, with Amherst grabbing a 2-1 lead in doubles. The Jumbo top pair of Lauren Louks and Mina Karamercan won 8-4, but Amherst took the second and third doubles matches. Avery Wagman and Rebecca Pol out-lasted Jumbos Tomo Iwasaki and Jacqueline Baum 9-8 (3) in the #3 match.
The match was moved inside with Amherst leading 3-2. The outdoor singles wins came from Amherst's #5 Kelsey Chen (6-4, 6-2), and by Jumbo Conner Calabro at #3 (6-4, 6-2).
All four indoor matches went three sets. Amherst's Sarah Monteagudo won in fourth singles. Tufts' Iwasaki took a 7-6 (4) tie-breaker in the first set against Monteagudo before the Amherst player rallied for 6-1 and 6-4 wins. Similar to that #4 match, Wagman defeated Chelsea Hayashi 7-6 (6), 1-6, 6-3 in #6 singles to give Amherst a 5-2 lead and lock up the victory.
Tufts' Louks went extra to win the #1 singles match 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-0 over Sue Ghosh from Amherst. Vickie Ip won 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 against Karamercan in the last match off at #2 singles.
The #15-ranked Jumbos dropped to 9-4 overall and 3-2 in NESCAC with the defeat. They are at Connecticut College for more NESCAC action in a 3:30 pm start on Friday.
Fifth-ranked Amherst improved to 11-5 overall and 5-1 in NESCAC. They host Middlebury in conference action on Saturday at 1 pm.
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