NEWPORT NEWS, VA (March 20, 2026) -- The No. 15 Tufts University women's tennis team battled throughout on Friday afternoon in Newport News, but ultimately fell 5-2 to No. 13 Johns Hopkins in a tightly contested non-conference match-up that featured multiple three-set thrillers and momentum swings across the lineup.
Doubles play set the early tone, with Johns Hopkins taking two of three to claim the opening point. The No. 2 pairing of Natalie Hu and Lucy Mitchell ran into a tough test against the nationally ranked Blue Jay duo, falling 6-1 as Hopkins struck first.
Tufts quickly answered at No. 3, where Claudia Grove and Melanie Woodbury delivered a strong 6-2 win, showcasing sharp net play and consistent baseline depth to even the doubles action. However, the decisive point came down to the top spot, where Rachel Cranley and Stephanie Woodbury battled in a competitive match before Hopkins edged ahead late for a 6-4 victory, securing the 1-0 lead heading into singles.
In singles, Tufts showed resilience from the outset, even as the Blue Jays extended their advantage. The first match to finish came at No. 4, where Nadia Khera fought through long rallies but ultimately dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision, putting Tufts in a 2-0 hole.
The Jumbos responded immediately at No. 6, with Ellie Gershaw putting together one of Tufts' most complete performances of the day. Gershaw controlled play from the baseline and dictated tempo throughout a convincing 6-2, 6-2 win, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and providing a spark for the lineup.
Momentum proved difficult to sustain, however, as Johns Hopkins picked up a key point at No. 2. Rachel Cranley competed well in a tight opening set but was edged 7-5 before her opponent pulled away in the second, giving the Blue Jays a 3-1 advantage and putting Tufts on the brink.
At No. 3, Melanie Woodbury—ranked No. 39 nationally—looked to mount a comeback after dropping the first set, but despite a strong push in the second, she fell 6-2, 7-5. That result clinched the match for Johns Hopkins at 4-1, though several courts were still in progress.
Tufts continued to compete hard through the remaining matches, highlighted by a gritty performance at the top of the lineup. Lucy Mitchell delivered a dramatic victory at No. 1, rebounding from a second set defeat to win a match tiebreaker 10-8 after splitting sets 6-4, 0-6. Her composure in the deciding moments earned Tufts its second point of the day and underscored the team's fight against a nationally ranked opponent.
The final match to finish came at No. 5, where Athena Li pushed her opponent to the limit in another three-set battle. After taking the opening set 6-4, Li saw the match swing in the second before ultimately falling in a narrow 10-8 match tiebreak, closing out the 5-2 final.
Tufts will battle host Christopher Newport University Saturday at 11 AM in the second of three days of action at the Natalie Pitts Memorial Invitational.Â
--JUMBOS--
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